_When the curtain opens you can see nothing at all at first, for the
room is all dark, just as Mother left it, you remember, when she went
out and took the light with her. But after a moment you can hear
something--the sleighbells far away. Nearer and nearer they come; then
there is a stamping sound on the roof; then a sort of scrambling sound
in the place where you know the chimney is; and then Santa Claus, who by
this time is crouching down in the fire-place, turns the light of his
lantern into the room. He steps out carrying his pack, and then down the
chimney come Jack and Polly._
Hush! _says_ SANTA CLAUS, _with his finger at his lips._ Off
to bed with you both! And don't you dare to open your eyes until the
day-light comes. It won't be long.
_On tiptoes Polly and Jack go out at the door. Then Santa Claus turns
to his work. First he reads Polly's letter by the light of his lantern,
and fills Polly's stocking and Mother's; then he reads Jack's letter and
fills Jack's stocking and Father's; then he puts out the light so that
the room is all dark again. You hear him climbing up the chimney, then
there is a jingling of sleighbells on the roof, which grows fainter and
fainter, and then all is still once more._
_After a little while you notice that you can see faintly through the
window at the back, because it is beginning to be daylight. Very, very
slowly it grows brighter. Then the door, that Jack and Polly went out
by, opens, and in come the two children in their wrappers._
Is it daylight now? _asks_ JACK, _but he is looking toward the
fire-place instead of toward the window._
Yes, I think it is, _says_ POLLY, _and she is looking in the same
direction._
_Then they go on tiptoe to the door of the other room, where Father
and Mother sleep; they open the door and shout:_
Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!
_Two rather sleepy voices, from_ MOTHER _first and then from_
FATHER, _answer:_ Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. _And_ MOTHER
_continues,_ All right, children; we'll be there in a moment, as soon
as we have put our wrappers on.
_The children go over to the fire-place, and feel the lumpy stockings;
and then in come Father and Mother in wrappers and nightcaps._
Oh, _says_ FATHER, old Santa Claus hasn't forgotten us, has he? And
candy canes are still in fashion, I see; I'm glad of that. Bring Mother
her stocking, Polly; and Jack, get mine for me. We'll sit down and take
our time about it.
No fair, Jack, _cries_ POLLY. You're peeking into your stocking.
I've only felt of mine.
But my thing is in a box, _says_ JACK, so that I can't see anything
anyway. Oh, let's begin quick.
All right, _says_ FATHER, and ladies first. Mother, you lead off.
Shall I? _says_ MOTHER, _feeling her stocking_. Oh, I know
what this round thing is: it's an orange. No, it isn't either: it's a
ball of knitting cotton. Just what I want, and the very kind I use. Now,
Polly, it's your turn to see what is in the top of yours.
I'm sure I know what mine is, _says_ POLLY, _and then as she
draws it out._ Yes, it is: it's a doll.