"Merry Christmas," said mother, hugging him tightly.
"Merry Christmas," said father, tossing him up into the air. "Did you see Santa Claus last night?"
Just then Polly ran in. "Oh, oh, it is Christmas!" she cried. "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! See what I found in my bed."
It was a box of animal crackers. They were all sheep.
"O father! You did it for a joke. You know I do not like mutton."
Peter ran to look in his room. He thought a joke might be there, too.
"See, see!" he shouted. "I have found a letter box. That is not a joke."
"Look inside," said father.
Peter looked. There he saw a very small pony. It was made of cloth. On its back it had a cloth monkey.
"A joke, a joke!" cried Polly. "Your pony came in your letter box after all."