"Deelighted!" said Santy with a bow, "Marmaduke, you hand 'em to me
and I'll read off the names."

So Marmaduke got down on his knees near the pile of presents and
picked out one. It was one of his own--not one _for_ him but one
he had bought--for Mother. He couldn't wait to see that look he knew
would come in her eyes.

She opened it. It was a nice work-basket.

"And my little boy bought it all with the pennies he saved.--I know
that," she cried in delight, and that look he had waited for shone in
her face.

Then came a big long box which Santy handed to Hepzebiah. Santy
himself helped her to tear off the wrappings; and lo and behold! it
was a great big doll with blue eyes and flaxen hair.

So back and forth the procession of presents passed,--a pipe for
Father, and one for the Toyman, who wasn't there to get it, a football
for Marmaduke, a pair of skates for Jehosophat, and oh, so many
things!

Then Marmaduke heard a whisper in his ear. He started, for the voice
sounded like the Toyman's, but it couldn't have been, for the Toyman
was still nowhere to be seen.

"Can't you find something in that heap o' things for little Johnny
Cricket?" the voice asked.