Some warm dinner was now brought in for cousin Betty, and the children
went off to tie up and label the gifts for Santa Claus.

"What shall we do with the presents we have for papa and mamma?" asked
Grace.

"Oh, we cannot hand those in to the study," said Effie; "we must
contrive some way to give them afterwards."

And now the children, one after the other, with their arms laden with
packages, were making their way to their father's study; Emily and
Agnes, too, had several contributions to make to the heap of bundles
which was piled up on the study table; and before six o'clock, Mr.
Wharton said he had taken in enough articles to stock a very
respectable country store. At six o'clock the study door was locked, and
there was no more admittance.

An hour or two after this, the whole family were assembled in the two
large parlors, which were brilliantly lighted for the occasion, and all
were on the tiptoe of expectation.

"I should like to know how he is coming," said Albert; "he'll be likely
to get well scorched, if he comes down either chimney."

At this moment there was a slight tap at one of the windows opening on
to the piazza, which Mr. Wharton immediately proceeded to open, and in
walked St. Nicholas.

He was a jolly, merry-looking, little old gentleman, with beard and