Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus by Mark Mills, Kate Wolford, Guy Burtenshaw, Jill Corddry, Elise Forier Edie, Patrick Evans, Scott Farrell, Caren Gussoff, Lissa Sloan, Elizabeth Twist

child on each knee. “It is tomorrow, Clara,” said he with a smile. “And what happens on Christmas?”
    “Presents!” shouted Henry. “And sweets and oranges and turkey and cake and pudding!” Mr. Pennyrake said nothing, but looked at the children with eyebrows raised.
    Clara folded her hands in her lap. “Baby Jesus is born,” she said.
    “And?” said Mr. Pennyrake. He seemed to have something else in mind.
    Henry wrinkled his nose. “We go to church?”
    Mr. Pennyrake nodded. “All of those things, but one thing more.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Krampus comes visiting.”
    Little Henry was puzzled. “Who is that?” he asked.
    As ever, Clara was ready with an answer. “Our uncle, you ninny,” she said in a stage whisper. In this instance, however, she was mistaken.
    “No, no,” said Mr. Pennyrake with a smile. “Krampus is not a man. Krampus is a beast. He is a beast with tangled black fur, horns like a goat, and a pointed tongue as long as my arm. He walks on two cloven feet. He carries a great basket on his back and a birch rod in his hand. Do you know what those are for?” The children shook their heads, their eyes as large as dinner plates. “The birch rod is for whipping naughty children.” Here Henry gasped. “Children who wet their beds at night.”
    “I told him he mustn’t,” Clara interjected. “It’s the third night this week.”
    Mr. Pennyrake continued. “Or children who tell tales on their brothers or do not put away their toys.” This information silenced Clara at last. “The great basket is for carrying naughty children home with him. What he does with them there I cannot tell you.” With that, he deposited both children on the floor. Once there, Clara ran to pick up her doll, and Henry stood contemplating the basket of wet sheets beside his bed, a woeful expression on his face. Mr. Pennyrake strode from the room, a smile on his lips. There was nothing like a little fear to guarantee the desired behavior.
    A day full of opportunities awaited Mr. Pennyrake after he left his breakfast table. On the way to his offices he stopped in at a coffee house in the next street but one. Mr. Redfern could be depended upon to be there at that time of the morning, and Mr. Pennyrake had made up his mind to accidentally meet him. Mr. Redfern’s round face brightened on seeing Mr. Pennyrake, and he called out to him. “What a surprise to see you,” said Mr. Pennyrake as they shook hands.
    “Jack,” said Mr. Redfern as he gestured towards a chair beside him. “You’re the very person I’ve been hoping to see.”
    Mr. Pennyrake took the proffered seat. “Oh?” he said. Then, “But you are in mourning. What has happened, my dear fellow?”
    Mr. Redfern glanced down at his black armband. “Yes. Well, it’s Mrs. Elliot, my aunt.”
    “I had no idea!” Mr. Pennyrake exclaimed. He had, in fact, heard it from a very reliable source the night before. “My deepest condolences. I’ll not disturb you further in this time of grief.” He prepared to stand.
    Clearly alarmed, Mr. Redfern reached out a hand. “No, no, Jack, don’t go. I was hoping you would advise me.”
    Mr. Pennyrake was all concern. “Now, Redfern, you know I would do anything to help you, but I know nothing of arranging funerals.”
    Mr. Redfern waved him away. “No, no, Jack. It’s about her estate.”
    Mr. Pennyrake again pretended surprise as Mr. Redfern confessed that he had inherited all of his aunt’s money and didn’t know the first thing about what to do with it. He had no experience with solicitors and had no idea who to trust with such a sum.
    Mr. Pennyrake grasped Mr. Redfern’s arm. “You may be easy on that account, Redfern. I would be most happy to advise you.” He then explained that he knew of a very promising fund in which he could invest the old lady’s money and that he would be happy to make all the arrangements for his friend. Solicitors would charge a ridiculous amount in fees and