domain from his master's was not precisely what Livingstone had
commanded. What the tall butler did was to gather up in his arms two
very plump little tots who at sight of him came running to him with
squeals of joy, flinging themselves on him, and choking him with their
chubby arms, to the imminent imperiling of his immaculate linen.

Taking them both up together, James bore them off quietly to some remote
region where he filled their little mouths full of delightful candy
which kept their little jaws working tremendously and their blue eyes
opening and shutting in unison, whilst he told them of the dreadful
unnamed things that would befall them if they ventured again through
that door. He impressed on them the calamity it would be to lose the
privilege of holding the evergreens whilst they were being put up in the
hall, and the danger of Santa Claus passing by that night without
filling their stockings.

The picture he drew of two little stockings hanging limp and empty at
the fireplace while Santa Claus went by with bulging sleigh was
harrowing.

At mention of it, the tots both looked down at their stockings and were
so overcome that they almost stopped working their jaws, so that when
they began again they were harder to work than ever. To this James added
the terror of their failing to see next day the great plum-pudding
suddenly burst into flame in his hands. At this, he threw up both hands
and opened them so wide that the little ones had to look first at one of
his hands and then at the other to make sure that he was not actually
holding the dancing flames now.

When they had promised faithfully and with deep awe, crossing their