Don nodded absently. He listened to the sleigh bells for a moment and then said: "Everything of a personal nature is packed. The rest is worthless. How many men have you?"
"About two hundred."
"Then tell 'em to forget the packing and join in. After this mass, we won't even notice a couple of hundred more. But tell me is S. Claus going to drive that thing right in here?"
Keg nodded. "He's running on snow in the corridor, of course, but he's equipped with wheels for hard sledding."
The orchestra broke into Jingle Bells and a full dozen reindeer came prancing in through the large double doors. They came in a whirl of snow and a blast of icy air from the corridor, and they drew a very traditional Santa Claus behind them in the traditional sleigh laden with great bags.
Before the door was closed on the veritable blizzard in the hallway, several men came in hauling a great log which they placed on the monstrous fireplace at one end of the vast hall.
The only incongruity was the huge spit turned by a gear train from a motor run from a beam energy tube.
Santa Claus handed out a few gifts to those nearest and then mounted the orchestra platform. He held up his hands for silence.
"Before I perform my usual job of delivering gifts and remembrances," he said, "I want you to hear a word or two from your friend and mine—Don Channing!"
This brought a roar. And Channing went to the platform slowly.