n being supplied at
once.

Whilst they were thus occupied they caught sight of Barrington, whom
they hailed with evident pleasure born of the recollection of certain
gifts of pennies and cakes they had at different times received from
him.

'Hello, Mr Barrington,' said the two boys in a breath.

'Hello,' replied Barrington, as he patted the baby's cheek. 'What's
the matter here? What's Freddie crying for?'

'He wants that there 'orse, mister, the one with the real 'air on,'
said Charley, smiling indulgently like a grown-up person who realized
the absurdity of the demand.

'Fweddie want gee-gee,' repeated the child, taking hold of Barrington's
hand and returning to the window. 'Nice gee-gee.'

'Tell him that Santa Claus'll bring it to him on Christmas,' whispered
Elsie. 'P'raps he'll believe you and that'll satisfy him, and he's
sure to forget all about it in a little while.'

'Are you still out of work, Mr Barrington?' inquired Frankie.

'No,' replied Barrington slowly. 'I've got something to do at last.'

'Well, that's a good job, ain't it?' remarked Charley.

'Yes,' said Barrington. 'And whom do you think I'm working for?'

'Who?'

'Santa Claus.'

'Santa Claus!' echoed the children, opening their eyes to the fullest
extent.

'Yes,' continued Barrington, solemnly. 'You know, he is a very old man
now, so old that he can't do all his work himself. Last year he was so
tired that he wasn't able to get round to all the children he wanted to
give things to, and consequently a great many of them never got
anything at all. So this year he's given me a job to help him. He's
given me some money and a list of children's names, and against their
names are written the toys they are to have. My work is to buy the
things and give them to the boys and girls whose names are on the list.'

The children listened to this narrative with bated breath. Incredible
as the story seemed, Barrington's manner was so earnest as to almost
compel belief.

'Really and truly, or are you only having a game?' said Frankie at
length, speaking almost in a whisper. Elsie and Charley maintained an
awestruck silence, while Freddie beat upon the glass with the palms of
his hands.

'Really and truly,' replied Barrington unblushingly as he took out his
pocket-book and turned over the leaves. 'I've got the list here;
perhaps your names are down for something.'

The three children turned pale and their hearts beat violently as