Why, I've brought stories and histories enough to set up a store! I've got more nuts than you can shake a hammer at; but I think there's more bark to 'em than there is bite.

O, O, I find I can't crack 'em with my teeth, as I used to a hundred years ago! "But my dear, sweet, cunning little hearers, I must be a-goin'.

Queen Victoria, said she to me, said she, 'Now, Santa, my love, do you hurry back to fill my children's stockings before the clock strikes twelve.' Queen Vic is an excellent woman, and is left a poor widow; so I can't disappoint her, poor soul! "I must be a-goin'! Would like to hug and kiss you all round, but can't stop.

(Kisses his hand and bows.) A Merry Christmas to you all, and a Happy New Year." So saying, Santa Claus suddenly disappeared at the hall door, dropping his heavy pack upon the table.
In another minute the lively old gentleman was in the front parlor without any mask, and of course it was nobody but cousin Percy "with his face off." Then they all fell to work sorting out presents.

Prudy seized her fur tippet, and put it on at once.
"O, how pretty I look," said she; "just like a little cat! _Ain't_ I cunning ?" But nobody could pause to attend to Prudy, though she chatted very fast, without commas or periods, and held up to view a large wax doll which "would be alive if it could talk." They all had gifts as well as Prudy, and wished to talk rather than to listen.