“Mrs. Santa Claus” and her train went back toward the organ. At a word from her the organist began to play “Come hither, ye faithful.” Then the orchestra and organ repeated it, and Mrs. Santa Claus called: “Sing, children, sing for Christmas!” At first few sang besides her own children and the servants, but soon those of the poor children who could sing and who knew the hymn--and they were many--joined, till at the last stanza there was a fine volume of song, though words were largely lacking. One after another Mrs. Santa Claus called for the best, the dearest of the Christmas hymns and the children sang them, getting intoxicated with the sound of their own voices blending with the orchestra. “Hark!” cried Mrs. Santa Claus as the last note of “Silent Night, Holy Night” died away. Stillness fell upon the room. “I hear bells!” cried Mrs. Santa Claus. “It must be that my husband, Santa Claus, is coming!” Sure enough. Faint, but clear, came the sound of sleigh-bells, then it grew louder, was near! With a bound and a boisterous “Hurrah!” into the room burst Santa Claus himself! “Three cheers for Santa Claus!” cried Mr. Leonard, and led the cheers which nearly took the roof off, for this part of the programme suited the guests. “Hallo, kids!” cried Santa Claus. He was a noble personage, all in red velvet, whitened with snow, icicles hanging from his fur-trimmed cap, toys bulging from his boots and many pockets. “Any boy here got a horn?” Not a boy had, but Santa Claus had foreseen the lack and had come provided. “How can you make a lot of noise without horns?” he asked. Turning to a great hamper that had been brought in behind him, he pulled out no end of horns and summoned half a dozen boys to distribute them. “Oh, may as well give ’em to the girls, too,” Santa Claus chuckled. “They aren’t always so fond of being quiet, either! “Now,” announced Santa Claus, “I’m going to give out a present or two I’ve brought for some of you. Each one of you has to stand up and take what I send you. And after each present is given, blow your horns, every one of you, and make a Merry Christmas of it!” “Oh, Jim, it will deafen us!” murmured Mrs. Santa Claus, who in real life, also, was this gentleman’s wife. “Nonsense, Alida; the kids won’t have a good time unless they turn loose some sort of a hullabaloo!” Santa Claus whispered back. “We’ve got to stand it. Come, Snow White, it is your party. You go with me giving out presents.” Beth looked frightened. “Not unless the others go too,” she said.