See the stockings? To-
morrow morning you will find that Santy has filled them to the top.
Next year Santy will come provided with gifts for twelve, an even
dozen. How many are eleven and one, Reginald? Speak up. Eleven and
one. Good! That's right, my lad. The year after he will bring gifts
for fourteen. We shall avoid the unlucky number thirteen. Remember,
children, that next Christmas you are to have a little brother. You--"
"I want a sister," shouted Wilberforce.
"Sh!" said four nurses at once.
"As for you, my faithful servitors, it will not be necessary for you
to hang up your little stockings. Santy will find a way to--What is
it, Diggs?"
"If you please, sir, may I speak with you for a moment?" said Diggs
mysteriously, from the doorway. He appeared to be under the strain of
a not inconsiderable excitement.
Mr. Bingle hesitated. "If it's your grandmother who is ill, Diggs, I'm
afraid--"
"It's a man, sir, who says he must see you at once," said Diggs,
lowering his voice and sending a cautious glance over his shoulder.
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