“You have carried it so long with care,” said Santa Claus, “that by day, though unseen, it will ever shine to guide you, and at night, though passing clouds may sometimes hide it, if you look for it, you will soon find it again.”
“I shall look for it, Mr. Santa Claus,” said little Cis; “I often see the stars shining in at my window when I am in bed, and I shall ask God not to let the angels forget to light that beautiful one for me to see.”
As little Cis finished speaking, their old friend Red Cap appeared on the path before them.
“Where did you come from?” cried Hal, “we left you at the bird’s nest.”
“Yes,” answered Red Cap, “but we gnomes do not follow the paths you mortals tread, but have many and hidden passages under the earth, and many underground streams by which we pass quickly from south to north. So, here I am, you see, and now I am going to show you the realm of the King and Queen of the Gnomes.”
“That will be jolly!” cried Hal.
“Will it take very long, Mr. Red Cap?” asked Cis. “I have been thinking of mother, and she will want me back soon, I am sure.” And the child’s face grew thoughtful, and her large eyes looked sad and wistful.
“You shall be back for breakfast on Christmas morning, I promise you, little Cis,” said Santa Claus; “Mother will not expect you before then. I am going to leave you a little while with Red Cap now, for I have some other children expecting me before the sun is up; but I will meet you after you have seen where the King and Queen of the Gnomes live.”
“You will not forget us, Mr. Santa Claus, will you?” asked Cis, “because we could never get home without you.”
“No fear of that, little one, I never fail the children who believe in me,” and so saying he disappeared from their sight. Hal called out,—