Tom did not reply to this bit of philosophy; but he laid a repentant hand on the “Jolly Ramblers” as if he knew he had wronged them in his heart.  “That’s as handsome a doll as ever I saw and no mistake,” he said.

Pleased with this praise, Harvey opened the second box and disclosed the Lady Matilda with fair golden curls and a dress of “shimmerin’ white.”  “The Lady Matilda goes to Josephine,” said Harvey.  “Josephine has black hair, straight as a string, and won’t she laugh, though, to see them fetchin’ yellow curls?”

“She surely ought to be glad,” said Tom.

The Lady Clarabel was another fair-haired lady in a gown of the brightest pink.  “This here beauty’s for the baby,” said Harvey, his eyes glowing.  “She don’t care if the hair’s black or yellow, but won’t that stunnin’ dress make her eyes pop out?”

“They’ll surely believe in Santy when they see those beauties,” said Tom.

“That’s just what I was sayin’ to mom this morning,” said Harvey.  “Kitty’s had some doubts, (she’s almost nine), but when she sees those fine ladies she’ll be dead sure mom and I didn’t buy ’em.  If I had a Santy Claus suit, I’d dress up and hand ’em out myself.”

Tom’s face lighted with a bright idea.  “My brother Bob’s got a Santa Claus suit that he used in a show last Christmas,” he said.  “Say, let me dress up and play Santa for you.  The girls would never guess who I was!”

“Wouldn’t they stare, though!” said Harvey, delightedly.  “But do you think you’d want to take time,” he asked apologetically, “and you with a new pair of skates and the ice like this?”

“Of course, I want to if you’ll let me,” said Tom.  “I’ll skate down the river and meet you anywhere you say.”

“Out in our back yard, then, at seven o’clock,” said Harvey.

“All right, I’ll be there!” and with head up, and skates clinking, Tom hurried away.

It was a flushed, excited boy who burst into the Reynolds’ quiet sitting room a few minutes later, with his skates still hanging on his shoulder and his cap in his hand.  “Say, mother,” he cried, “can I have Bob’s Santa Claus suit this evening, please?  I’m going to play Santa Claus for Harvey McGinnis!”

“Play Santa Claus for Harvey McGinnis.  What do you mean, child?”

“You know Mrs. McGinnis, mother, that poor woman who lives in the little house by the river.  Her husband got killed on the railroad last winter, you know.  Well, Harvey, her boy, has fixed up some grand looking dolls for his sisters and he wants me to come out and play Santa tonight,” and Tom launched out into a long story about Harvey and his good fortune.

“He must be a splendid boy,” said Mrs. Reynolds, heartily, “and I am sure I shall be glad to have you go.”

“And another thing, mother,” said Tom, hesitating a little, “do you think grandma would care if I spent part of that five dollars she gave me for a pair of skates for Harvey?  He hasn’t any skates at all, and I know he’d just love to have some!”