As they stepped in , the Josephs recognized one of them as Mr. Ralston , a wealthy merchant in a small town fifteen miles away . `` Late hour for callers , is n't it ? '' said Mr. Ralston . `` The fact is , our horse has about given out , and the storm is so bad that we ca n't proceed . This is my wife , and we are on our way to spend Christmas with my brother 's family at Lindsay . Can you take us in for the night , Mr. Joseph ? '' `` Certainly , and welcome ! '' exclaimed Mr. Joseph heartily , `` if you do n't mind a shakedown by the kitchen fire for the night . My , Mrs. Ralston , '' as his wife helped her off with her things , `` but you are snowed up ! I 'll see to putting your horse away , Mr. Ralston . This way , if you please . '' When the two men came stamping into the house again Mrs. Ralston and Mrs. Joseph were sitting at the fire , the former with a steaming hot cup of tea in her hand . Mr. Ralston put the big basket he was carrying down on a bench in the corner . `` Thought I 'd better bring our Christmas flummery in , '' he said . `` You see , Mrs. Joseph , my brother has a big family , so we are taking them a lot of Santa Claus stuff . Mrs. Ralston packed this basket , and goodness knows what she put in it , but she half cleaned out my store . The eyes of the Lindsay youngsters will dance tomorrow -- that is , if we ever get there . '' Mrs. Joseph gave a little sigh in spite of herself , and looked wistfully at the heap of gifts on the corner table . How meagre and small they did look , to be sure , beside that bulgy basket with its cover suggestively tied down . Mrs. Ralston looked too .
`` Santa Claus seems XXXXX have visited you already , '' she said with a smile .
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