"Who is he ?" "Mr .-- Brown, and Mr.and Mrs .-- Clark," said Kitty slowly and impressively, as though she were adding up figures and the result would speak for itself.

She took in the shop with a wave of her little hand and a sweep of her eyes.
"I'm playing Santa Claus myself, to-night," she said, tossing her hooded head, her eyes kindling at the thought.

The next look around was one of business.
"This is Mr.Livingstone, papa's employer." She indicated that gentleman.
Mr.Brown held out his plump and not wholly immaculate hand.
"How d'ye do, sir?
I think I've heard of you ?" He turned back to Kitty.
"Who for ?" he asked.
"For him," Kitty nodded.

"He's got a whole lot of little children--not his own children--other people's children--that he's going to give Christmas presents to, and I've come to help him.

What have you got left, Mr.Santa Claus ?" She stood on tiptoe and peered over the shelves.
"Well, not a great deal, Miss Wide-awake," said the shopkeeper dropping into her manner and mood.