"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."
"Aren't you girls funny!" teased Joy. "And you in the first year of high school!"
"Kit," suddenly asked Bet, "will you act as secretary for the Merriweather Girls Helpful Aid Society and keep track of what we all must do?"
"I'm so busy, girls; will you let me buy trees and ornaments, for my share?" asked Shirley.
"Oh, that's fine. All right, put it down, Kit. And I will be on the committee to beg old toys. And we'll all get to work and make repairs. --I have a dandy scooter bike, but it needs paint."
A few days later they had a list of needy ones. "Oh, here's a nice big family for us," cried Bet. "It's Mrs. Ryan down by the tracks. She has nine children, and listen to the names: Emmelina, Francis Drake--oh, girls, isn't it a scream! Next comes Orlando, then Amarylis, Ronald, Marcel, Babette, Ernestine and Vivienne."