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The Imp's Christmas Dinner come back, so then all the people come to buy the things and nobody's there to give 'em to 'em. See?"

"When does this happen?" said Uncle George, in a queer way. "Where did you hear it?"

"At holiday time, Jenny says, but only some people know about it. It's to spite Henderson and Wicks. They'll have to tie up the bundles," said the Imp sleepily.

"This is absurd," said the little man angrily. "The child has been hoaxed, Mr. Scott."

"Where have you been, Perry?" said Uncle George quietly.

"In a big store where Wicks is, and white sailor-suits like mine—but I never saw 'em, never!" answered the Imp sadly.

"Who told you that there would be a strike?" asked the little man crossly.

"Jenny," replied the Imp simply. "Miss Murphy made it up. Henderson was nasty to her."

The little man flushed. "This is absurd," he said angrily. "There's no truth in it, Mr. Scott, and if there were, we can get plenty of people"

"Oh, no, you can't!" interrupted the Imp 113