Mrs. Ralston looked too . `` Santa Claus seems to have visited you already , '' she said with a smile . The Josephs laughed . `` Our Santa Claus is somewhat out of pocket this year , '' said Mr. Joseph frankly . `` Those are the little things the small folks here have made for each other . They 've been a month at it , and I 'm always kind of relieved when Christmas is over and there are no more mysterious doings . We 're in such cramped quarters here that you ca n't move without stepping on somebody 's secret . '' A shakedown was spread in the kitchen for the unexpected guests , and presently the Ralstons found themselves alone . Mrs. Ralston went over to the Christmas table and looked at the little gifts half tenderly and half pityingly . `` They 're not much like the contents of our basket , are they ? '' she said , as she touched the calendar Jimmie had made for Mollie out of cardboard and autumn leaves and grasses . `` Just what I was thinking , '' returned her husband , `` and I was thinking of something else , too . I 've a notion that I 'd like to see some of the things in our basket right here on this table . '' `` I 'd like to see them all , '' said Mrs. Ralston promptly . `` Let 's just leave them here , Edward . Roger 's family will have plenty of presents without them , and for that matter we can send them ours when we go back home . '' `` Just as you say , '' agreed Mr. Ralston . `` I like the idea of giving the small folk of this household a rousing good Christmas for once . They 're poor I know , and I dare say pretty well pinched this year like most of the farmers hereabout after the crop failure . '' Mrs. Ralston untied the cover of the big basket .
Then the two XXXXX them , moving as stealthily as if engaged in a burglary , transferred the contents to the table .
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