heir presents?"

"That idea's not a total loss, for a wonder, Joy. It shows a good
heart but very little head-work," answered Bet.

"Why, Bet Baxter, what's the matter now? Why all the kitty-cat stuff!
Take it back!"

"Well, I just hate that kind of a Christmas tree. Showing up the poor
little things as being too poor to have one of their own."

"What's your idea, then?" challenged Joy.

"I want the little kiddies to wake up on Christmas morning and find a
tree at home and their stockings filled to overflowing."

"Yes, and to know that their eyes will get bigger and bigger, and
they'll even peep under the bed to make sure that Santa isn't hiding
there," Shirley added.

"That would be a real Christmas," agreed Kit.

"But where will our fun come in? Don't we see their eyes getting big
and bigger, or anything? I think that will spoil it all. I want to
see them get their toys, put them right into their hands," pouted Joy.

"That's all right, Joy Evans. But what about their faith in Santa
Claus? If Santa Claus doesn't come when their Dad is out of work, what
will they think of a saint like that, I'd like to know?" exclaimed Bet.

"So we've got to save the reputation of Santa Claus, is that it?" asked
Joy.

"That's one way of saying it. Although I would rather put it, that we
are playing Santa Claus."

"Right-O!" cried Kit. "What's the first thing to do, General?" Kit
stood at salute before Bet.

"We'll go down to the Chamber of Commerce and find out from Mrs. Keith
what needy families there are and what ones we will supply. --By the
way, Shirley, can we use the back room for the toys we collect?"

"Why certainly, girls, you know you don't have to ask. And you can
count on Mrs. Lester giving us a lot of things for very small children.
She said the other day that the nursery was full and she wished she
knew some children who needed things."

"I'll dress four dolls," promised Kit. "In that way I can indulge my
passion for dolls and not be laughed at."

"Why Kit Patten, would you play with dolls? I've always hated them,
used to crack their heads against a stone to see their eyes jump out,"
confessed Joy.

"Why you cruel monster!" cried Shirley. "I always loved dolls, but I
had my baby sisters to take care of so I never had much time."

"Now I'll confess!" laughed Bet. "I have a doll trunk under my bed
where it can't be seen, and sometimes when I am all alone, I still play
with them."

"A