ROSE. Oh, Santa Claus! Santa Claus! [_Exit, calling._] Come, Papa, come, Mamma, here's Santa Claus! Robin! Marjorie! Kitty! [_Enter all. The older children hang back_, ROSE _runs to_ SANTA CLAUS _and stands by him._]
FATHER [_shaking hands with_ SANTA CLAUS]. How do you do, sir, how do you do?
MOTHER. We're very glad to see you again, Santa Claus. [_Motions others to come_, NURSE _also urging them in pantomime._]
SANTA CLAUS [_patting_ ROSE'S _head, and looking at other children_]. I hear there are some children here who weren't pleased with what I brought them. How's this? [_Children turn away, and hang their heads in embarrassment._]
SANTA CLAUS [_to_ FATHER]. What does this mean? Can you explain it, Mr. Bird?
FATHER. Well--a--you see, the stockings really weren't filled after your usual thoughtful manner.
SANTA CLAUS [_bursts into a loud laugh, at which the children turn in injured astonishment_]. Well, well! That's a good joke!
KITTY [_in an injured tone_]. We didn't think it was a joke at all, Santa Claus.
SANTA CLAUS. Well, my dear, you will when I tell you about it. You see, I had a new helper, last night, and it wasn't to be expected that one so new to the business wouldn't make some mistakes. Well, this one made a good many,---- [_to_ TED] didn't he?
TED [_dolefully_]. I should think he did! He didn't do anything else at all!
SANTA CLAUS. But when he found out about it, he felt very badly, indeed,---- [_to_ TED] didn't he?
SANTA CLAUS. So he came to me and begged me to fix the matter for him, and I've agreed to do it. He never suspected that I knew about it before he told me, but I did know, all the time, and so I've come prepared to make it up to you for all the trouble Ted caused----
SANTA CLAUS. Yes, Ted. [_With pretended fierceness._] He meddled with my business last night.
SANTA CLAUS. But I'm going to forgive him, because I think he learned a good many things about Christmas while he was at it. And I never _could_ bear to see anyone unhappy when I pay my yearly call, so come along, children, come, Father and Mother Bird, and we'll see if we can't find something to suit you all under the branches of my Tree![19]
[Footnote 19: See note on Tree, p. 314, and Tree-song, p. 315.]