"I'm certainly glad to hear from you. How are you?" said Father.
And he whispered to the boys:--
"He says he's very well, "--then into the 'phone:--
"That's fine--we're very glad to hear it."
There was a pause, and Father's voice exclaimed,--
"What! You're not actually coming here? Well, I should say that's the best news I've heard in a long time!"
And, smiling, he told this good news to the folks in the room.
"Doesn't it beat all!" he said, "Santa Claus is coming here to pay us a visit."
He spoke into the 'phone again.
"How soon can you make it?--Fifteen minutes?"