"but I wish I had, and I'll pay you."

"All right. She knows you and that will do," said Mr. Brown.

Kitty, with the light of an explorer in her eyes, was making new
discoveries on the shelves, and the two men walked to the back of the
shop where the shopkeeper wrote a list of names. Then Livingstone and
Kitty got into the sleigh and drove for a half-hour or so.

On their return Mr. Brown was ready.

His shop looked as though it had been struck by a whirlwind. The floor
and counters were covered with boxes and bundles, and he and Livingstone
packed the big sleigh as full as it would hold, leaving only one seat
deep in the furs amid the heaped up parcels. Then suddenly from
somewhere Mr. Brown produced a great, shaggy cape with a hood, and
Livingstone threw it around Kitty and getting in lifted her into the
little nest between the furs.

Kitty's eyes were dancing and her breath was coming quickly with
excitement.

It was a supreme moment.

"Where are we going, Mr. Livingstone?" she whispered. She was afraid to
speak aloud lest she might break the spell and awake.

"Just where you like."

"To the Children's Hospital," she panted.

"To the Children's Hospital, driver," repeated Livingstone.

Kitty gave another gasp.

"We'll play you're Santa Claus," she said, in a voice of low delight.

"No. Play you are Santa Claus's partner," said Livingstone.

"And you?"

"You are not to say anything about me."

CHAPTER XIV

Livingstone had not had such a drive in years. The little form snuggled
against him closer and closer and the warm half sentences of childish
prattle, as the little girl's imagination wove its fancies, came to him
from amid the furs and made him feel as though he had left the earth and
were driving in a new world. It was like a dream. Had youth come back?
Was it possible?

The sleigh stopped in front of a great long building.

"You have to ring at the side door at night," said the driver. He
appeared to know a good deal about the hospital.

Livingstone sprang out and rang the bell and then stepped back.

"When they open the door, you are to do all the talking," he said to
Kitty as he lifted her down.

"Who shall I say rang?" she asked.

"Santa Claus's partner."

"But you--?"

"No. You are not to mention my name. Remember!"

Before the child could reply the door opened a little way and a porter
looked out.

"Who's there?" he called to the sleigh, rather overlooking the lit