[The author and her siblings anticipate Christmas and write letters to Santa, who replies]

[My] sister feeling up the chimney dislodged a grubby piece of paper with unfamiliar writing.

Dear Children

I will come on Christmas eve, but put your stockings in the same place with the names on them. It is a bit cold up here. 

With love from,

Santa Claus

Please sing some carols. 

 We sat and sang with all our might about the sleigh bells ringing and had no doubt as to the reality of Santa Claus in those happy days, everything was fairyland.