I enjoyed the ride very
much, but I enjoyed the castle far more; for it was one of the
loveliest places you could imagine. It stood on the top of a high
mountain and is built of gold and silver bricks, and the windows are
pure diamond crystals. The rooms are big and high, and there is a soft
carpet upon every floor and many strange things scattered around to
amuse one. Santa Claus lives there all alone, except for old Mother
Hubbard, who cooks the meals for him; and her cupboard is never bare
now, I can promise you! At the top of the castle there is one big
room, and that is Santa's work-shop, where he makes the toys. On one
side is his work-bench, with plenty of saws and hammers and
jack-knives; and on another side is the paint-bench, with paints of
every color and brushes of every size and shape. And in other places
are great shelves, where the toys are put to dry and keep new and
bright until Christmas comes and it is time to load them all into his
sleigh.
"After Mother Hubbard had given me a good dinner, and I had eaten some
of the most delicious clover I have ever tasted, Santa took me up into
his work-room and sat me upon the table.
"'If I can only make rabbits half as nice as you are,' he said, 'the
little ones will be delighted.' Then he lit a big pipe and began to
smoke, and soon he took a roll of soft fur from a shelf in a corner
and commenced to cut it out in the shape of a rabbit.
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