Come in, _says_ MRS. SANTA CLAUS. _And in walk Jack and Polly,
hand in hand, wearing the fairy spectacles and the wishing cap, one
holding the bottle and the other the spoon._

Donner and Blitzen! _exclaims_ SANTA CLAUS, _laying down his
brush,_ if it isn't Polly and Jack!

Oh, Santa, _cries_ POLLY, we got your letter and the wishing-cap--

And the fairy spectacles, says JACK.

And we've brought you some of father's medicine, _continues_ POLLY,
because it made Nurse Mary quite well--her back, you know.

And her joints, _adds_ JACK.

And you have to take it from children, POLLY _goes on._ One of them
holds the spoon--_Here_ POLLY _holds out the spoon._

And the other pours out the medicine, _says_ JACK, _and with that
he pours it out._ It's very bitter, _he adds, as Polly holds it out
for Santa Claus to take._

_Then Santa Claus opens his mouth, and swallows the dose, with a wry
face and a shudder._

Is it horrid? _asks_ POLLY.

Horrid! _says_ SANTA CLAUS.