"I think he'll have something for you," she replied. "There are so
many poor little boys and girls in the city that he may not be
able to bring very much to you."
"Who is Santa Claus, anyway?" questioned Jamie.
Tears came into the wife's eyes as she thought of the one who had
always remembered them so kindly as far as his modest means
permitted.
She hesitated in her reply; and before she could decide upon an
answer there was a knock at the door. Jamie ran to open it, and
started back as a man entered with cap, eyebrows, beard, and
shaggy coat all white with the falling snow. He placed two great
baskets of provisions on the floor, and said they were for Mrs.
Anson Marlow.
"There is some mistake," Mrs. Marlow began; but the children,
after staring a moment, shouted, "Santa Claus! Santa Claus!"
The grocer's man took the unexpected cue instantly, and said, "No
mistake, ma'am. They are from Santa Claus;" and before another
word could be spoken he was gone. The face of the grocer's man was
not very familiar to Mrs. Marlow, and the snow had disguised him
completely.
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