I like to see the toys, for they are so bright and
pretty, and every year there is something new amongst them. Once I
visited Santa, and saw him make the toys."
"Oh, tell me about it!" pleaded Dorothy.
"It was one morning after Christmas," said the rabbit, who seemed to
enjoy talking, now that he had overcome his fear of Dorothy, "and I
was sitting by the road-side when Santa Claus came riding back in his
empty sleigh. He does not come home quite so fast as he goes, and when
he saw me he stopped for a word.
"'You look very pretty this morning, Bun Rabbit,' he said, in his
jolly way; 'I think the babies would love to have you to play with.'
"'I do n't doubt it, your honor,' I answered; 'but they 'd soon kill
me with handling, even if they did not scare me to death; for babies
are very rough with their playthings.'
"'That is true,' replied Santa Claus; 'and yet you are so soft and
pretty it is a pity the babies can't have you. Still, as they would
abuse a live rabbit I think I shall make them some toy rabbits, which
they cannot hurt; so if you will jump into my sleigh with me and ride
home to my castle for a few days, I 'll see if I can't make some toy
rabbits just like you."
"Of course I consented, for we all like to please old Santa, and a
minute later I had jumped into the sleigh beside him and we were
dashing away at full speed toward his castle.
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