“Why, I thought Santa Claus was an old man,” said Hal.
“So I am, in the Old World,” replied he, “but here, in the New World, I am young like it.”
“But,” exclaimed Hal, “where are your reindeer, and where’s the sleigh with all the good things in it I always thought you brought? Because it won’t be fair if you don’t give us anything. It’s Christmas Eve, you know, and we have put our stockings ready for you.”
“I have left my reindeer and the snow and frost in the Old World,” said Santa Claus; “but never fear, I have not forgotten you and little Cis; my wand, with the star of Love on it, is better than my sleigh full of presents. But come along, little ones; dress quickly, for I am going to take you where many wonderful things are waiting to be seen by bright young eyes.”
“All right; I am ready,” cheerily replied Hal.
But little Cis said, “I don’t know, Hal; what will mother say! Mayn’t I go and tell her, Mr. Santa Claus?”
“No need, little Cis; she knew I was coming to you to-night.”
“Yes, it’s all right,” said Hal eagerly, “come, dress quickly, Cis, we shall see lots of wonderful things, and bring some back to mother too.”
So the children dressed, and, led by their guide, went hand in hand with light steps down the stairs and out into the moonlit world.
How beautiful it looked! The drooping grasses shone with drops of dew; the tall white lilies gleamed fair as the driven snow; a white-tailed rabbit skipped across their path and then peered with bright eyes at them from high bracken; a solitary night-bird chirped out its sleepy notes; but as the children, led by Santa Claus, came near to the creek, the voice of the stream sang out cheerily. A mossy trunk lay across the waters, and Santa Claus stepped lightly along it, followed by Hal, who held the hand of little Cis tightly in his, and, guiding her, went across the slippery bridge.