A unanimous `` O , o , o ! '' burst from twenty tongues , as the full splendor of the tree , the room , and its inmates , dawned upon them ; for not only did the pretty Christ-child hover above , but Santa Claus himself stood below , fur-clad , white-bearded , and powdered with snow from the dredging-box . Ralph was a good actor , and , when the first raptures were over he distributed the presents with such droll speeches , jokes , and gambols , that the room rang with merriment , and passers-by paused to listen , sure that here , at least , Christmas was merry . It would be impossible to tell about all the gifts or the joy of the receivers , but every one was satisfied , and the king and queen of the revels so overwhelmed with little tokens of good-will , that their beds looked like booths at a fair . Jack beamed over the handsome postage-stamp book which had long been the desire of his heart , and Jill felt like a millionaire , with a silver fruit-knife , a pretty work-basket , and oh ! -- coals of fire on her head ! -- a ring from Jack . A simple little thing enough , with one tiny turquoise forget-me-not , but something like a dew-drop fell on it when no one was looking , and she longed to say , `` I 'm sorry I was cross ; forgive me , Jack . '' But it could not be done then , so she turned to admire Merry 's bed-shoes , the pots of pansies , hyacinths , and geranium which Gus and his sisters sent for her window garden , Molly 's queer Christmas pie , and the zither Ed promised to teach her how to play upon . The tree was soon stripped , and pop-corns strewed the floor as the children stood about picking them off the red threads when candy gave out , with an occasional cranberry by way of relish . Boo insisted on trying the new sled at once , and enlivened the trip by the squeaking of the spotted dog , the toot of a tin trumpet , and shouts of joy at the splendor of the turn-out . The girls all put on their necklaces , and danced about like fine ladies at a ball . The boys fell to comparing skates , balls , and cuff-buttons on the spot , while the little ones devoted all their energies to eating everything eatable they could lay their hands on . Games were played till nine o'clock , and then the party broke up , after they had taken hands round the tree and sung a song written by one whom you all know , -- so faithfully and beautifully does she love and labor for children the world over . THE BLESSED DAY `` What shall little children bring On Christmas Day , on Christmas Day ? What shall little children bring On Christmas Day in the morning ? This shall little children bring On Christmas Day , on Christmas Day ; Love and joy to Christ their king , On Christmas Day in the morning ! `` What shall little children sing On Christmas Day , on Christmas Day ? What shall little children sing On Christmas Day in the morning ? The grand old carols shall they sing On Christmas Day , on Christmas Day ; With all their hearts , their offerings bring On Christmas Day in the morning . ''
XXXXX was carried off to bed in such haste that he had only time to call out , `` Good-night ! ''
Boo Ed Jack Molly bed-shoes cuff-buttons dew-drop fruit-knife gambols o'clock