midnight
Next to Grace , Nora , with her rosy cheeks and ready Irish wit was perhaps the judge 's favorite , while he had a profound admiration for stately Miriam ; so he was well satisfied with his captors , who triumphantly conducted him to the drawing room , where Miriam played and Nora sang Irish ballads with a delicious brogue that completely captivated the old gentleman . At eleven o'clock there was a great jingling of bells and into the room dashed Santa Claus , looking as fat and jolly as a story-book Kris Kringle . `` Merry Christmas , '' he cried in a high squeaky voice . `` It 's a little early to wish you Merry Christmas , judge , but I 've an engagement in China at midnight so I thought I 'd drop in here a trifle early , leave a few toys for you and your little playmates and be gone . I always make it a point to remember good little boys . So hurry up , everybody , and follow me , for I have n't long to stay . '' With these words Kris Kringle dashed through the hall followed by the judge who , entering fully into the spirit of the affair , seized Nora and Miriam by the hand and the three raced after their strange visitor at full speed , catching up with him at the door of the dining room which was closed .