"
But Georgie had something to say. He had listened to this long dialogue
with astonishment and growing dismay. Now the dismay and conviction of a
great disappointment overcame him.
"I don't want to go to bed," he wailed. "Ain't he Santa Claus? He SAID
he was Santa Claus. Where are my presents? Where's my air-gun? I want my
presents. Oh--Oh--Oh!"
He went out crying. Emily ran to him.
"Hush, hush, Georgie, dear," she begged. "Come upstairs with
sister--come. If you don't you may be here when the real Santa comes and
you will frighten him away. Come with me; that's a good boy. Auntie, I
will be down by and by."
She led the disappointed and still sobbing boy from the room. Thankful
turned to her brother.
"Now you march out into that kitchen," she commanded. "I'll get you warm
first and then I'll see about a bed for you. You'll have to sleep up on
the third floor tonight. After that I'll see about a better room to put
you in."
Jedediah stared at her.
"What--what," he faltered. "Do you mean--Thankful, do you mean you're
goin' to let me stay here for--for good?"
"Yes, of course I do. You don't think I'll let you get out of my sight
again, do you? That is, unless you're real set on goin' gold-huntin'.
I'm sure you shan't go cook on any whaler; I've got too much regard for
sailors' digestions to let you do that."
"Thankful, I--I'll work my hands off for you. I'll--"
"All right, all right. Now trot along and warm those hands or you won't
have any left to work off; they'll be SHOOK off with the shivers.
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