However, the boys were eager enough, both yelling:
"Now for the presents!"
"Wait a minute, laddies," said their father, "somebody's calling."
Now there was a telephone in the White House with the Green Blinds by the Side of the Road, a funny old-fashioned instrument, but a very useful one, nevertheless.
It was tinkling. Father went to it, and this is what they heard him say,--
"Hello! hello!" Then,--
"Why, is that you--"
He turned around to the folks in the room:
"Hush!" he warned them, "it's Santa Claus."
Then he turned to the telephone again, very surprised to be talking to so important a person.