flesh, and it wasn't all red as you see in the pictures, but brown and
red,--like--like--the Toyman's; and his eyes didn't pop out of his
head either, but were just like ordinary people's eyes, only kinder,
like the Toyman's, and these, the children said, were the kindest in
the world.

Marmaduke wished the Toyman would come back, so that he might meet
Santa, for he was a year-round Santa himself, always making things and
doing things for little boys.

But Santa was talking:

"Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" he said, then he added,--"to one
and all."

At the sound of his voice the children forgot their wonder and awe,
and hurried to him and clasped his knees, and little Johnny Cricket
tried to reach for his crutches, but Santa just picked him up in his
arms and kissed him and little Hepzebiah too.

Now Father stood up.

"Mr. Santa Claus," he began, but Santy interrupted him,--

"No Mister for me," he told Father, "we're among friends. I've known
you all ever since you were born. Ho! Ho!" and he laughed, and his
laugh seemed very jolly.

"Very well," replied Father, "pardon my mistake--Friend Santy, then.
Would you be so good as to distribute the presents?"