“I do this to make my children less sinful in their comportment,” she snuggest. “When they go around making gunman noises, I holla, ‘Stop before Hon. St Claus hear you and refuse to come!’ If they tell untruthful lies, I humiliate them by reproaching, ‘Hon St Claus will snub you for this untruthfulness!’”
“Honesty are nice exercise for children to learn,” I corrode.
She make pleasant face for reply.
“On Xmas night-before,” she explan, “me & Hon. Mr. Poke set up slight candle-tree in dining-room. We cluster this foliage with ornaments to resemble circus, and by foot of it we place extended quantities of drums, guns, horns, cannons, velocipedes, baseballs and other tools with which home can be broke. In dawn-break of morning Hon. Dear Children come down and observe. ‘Who sent it?’ they require. ‘Hon. St Claus bring it because you was truthful childs,’ we report. ‘How he get in?’ they ask to know. ‘He slid down chimbley-pipe,’ we say back deceptively. So merry Xmas is enjoyed by all.”
“Are it not somewhat sinful to relate them fibbulous tale to tender child?” I negotiate.
“Ah, no!” she abstract. “If childhood should not believe in St Claus, then most happy times would relapse forever. Togo, you must do everything what possible to make them believe in this whisker-gentleman.”
“I shall attempt to think up something deliciously deceptive,” are smart answer I make.
As Xmas date approach up, Hon. Hester & Lester become more fidgettous in their psychology.
“This morning I dishcover 6 boxes labeled ‘Smith’s Toy Store’ in basement of cellar,” pronounce Hon. Lester. “What could be in it?”