If there isn't any Santa Claus, what does he put all the sample toys in
the stores for every Christmas so boys and girls can see what they want?
If he doesn't fill the stockings, who does, I'd like to know. Some folks
say that father and mother do it - but s'posin, they do, it's only to
help Santa Claus sometimes when he's late or overworked, or something
like that.

The Spirit of Christmas is Santa Claus - else how could he get around to
everybody in the whole world at exactly the same time of the night?

There is a new high-power motor in my garage. It came to me yesterday -
Christmas. It is very beautiful, and it cost a great deal of money, a
very great deal. If we were in the Little Old Town it would take us all
out to Aunt Em's farm in ten minutes. (It always took her an hour to
drive in with the old spotted white mare.)

I am quite happy to have this wonderful new horse of today, and there is
some warmth inside of me as I walk around it in the garage while Henry,
its keeper, flicks with his chamois every last vestige of dust from its
shiny sides.

And yet . . . how gladly would I give it up if only I could have been in
my feather bed last night - if I could have awakened at daybreak and
crept softly, red-flanneled and barefooted, to the parlor door - if I
could have groped for grandmother's stocking and felt its lumpy shape
respond to my eager touch - and if I could have known the thrill of that
dapple-grey rocking-horse when I flung my arms around its neck and
buried my face in its silken mane!