When it was all finished he pressed the toy
rabbit with his thumb, and it squeaked so naturally that I jumped off
the table, fearing at first the new rabbit was alive. Old Santa
laughed merrily at this, and I soon recovered from my fright and was
pleased to think the babies were to have such pretty playthings.
"'After this,' said Santa Claus, 'I can make rabbits without having
you for a pattern; but if you like you may stay a few days longer in
my castle and amuse yourself."
"I thanked him and decided to stay. So for several days I watched him
making all kinds of toys, and I wondered to see how quickly he made
them, and how many new things he invented.
"'I almost wish I was a child,' I said to him one day, 'for then I too
could have playthings.'
"'Ah, you can run about all day, in summer and in winter, and enjoy
yourself in your own way,' said Santa; 'but the poor little children
are obliged to stay in the house in the winter and on rainy days in
the summer, and then they must have toys to amuse them and keep them
contented."
"I knew this was true, so I only said, admiringly, 'You must be the
quickest and the best workman in all the world, Santa.'
"'I suppose I am,' he answered; 'but then, you see, I have been making
toys for hundreds of years, and I make so many it is no wonder I am
skillful. And now, if you are ready to go home, I 'll hitch up the
reindeer and take you back again.
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