A step came towards the door, the bolts were drawn back and half the door was opened.
Livingstone was prepared to see the shopkeeper confounded when he should discover who his caller was.

On the contrary, the man was in nowise embarrassed by his appearance.

Indeed, he paid no attention whatever to Livingstone.

It was to Kitty that he addressed himself, ignoring Livingstone's presence utterly.
"Why, Kitty, what are you doing out at this time of night?
Aren't you afraid Santa Claus will come while you are away, and not bring you anything?
You know what they say he does if he don't find everybody asleep in bed ?" Kitty nodded, and leaning forward on her toes, dropped her voice to a mysterious whisper: "I know who Santa Claus is." The whisper ended with a little chuckle of delight at her astuteness.

"I found it out last Christmas." "Kitty, you didn't! You must have been mistaken ?" said the shopkeeper with a grin on his kindly countenance.