The Imp's Christmas Dinner
ings at home, he had learned that persuasion was futile, but that argument often worked well.
"Only when you don't have to, Maggie," he explained. "Katy and I just had to go to a place, and we just did. For thread. We had to need it. So we went. And it was all right, Katy said. The reason why we can't, it's so's to get the air all the time."
"Very well, Master Perry, but we don't need a thing."
"Not a thing? Not a little thing, Maggie, where the suits live?"
Maggie softened. She was very fond of the Imp and the suits would amuse him.
"Why, I suppose we could get them towels to hem," she agreed. "We've got to have 'em soon, anyhow."
"Oh, yes!" cried the Imp, "I'm sure we need 'em, Maggie! I took our last towel this morning for the cat that I washed—I mean I tried to—" but Maggie's face did not invite further reminiscence of that little episode and he turned the subject.
It was a clear, cold day and the streets were crowded. The Imp swung along proudly, his
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