Won't that be funny? They all clap their hands and dance up and
down. That's what the magic hazel nuts will make them do, says
SANTA CLAUS. And when they have crawled under the table--you see,
it's a table that has a Christmas dinner on it, and that makes a
difference, of course--well, when they have crawled under the table,
then--. No. I believe I won't tell you about what will happen then.
I'll keep it for a surprise and it's something worth seeing you may be
sure. So that's the plan. Will you help me? They all nod most
emphatically. Here are the nuts, then, he says. Run and stick them
into the pudding, while I fill the stockings.
They take the bag and all run out through the door. Santa Claus goes
to the fire-place, and from his pack fills all six stockings. Then, as
he finishes and takes up his pack, the brownies and fairies return,
and gather round him as he stands in front of the fire-place. SANTA
CLAUS says to them, Did you stick them in? They nod. All around?
They nod again. That's right. Well, I'm off. And, tomorrow, if I can
manage it, I'm going to come back here at about the time when the nuts
begin to work, for I'd like to see the fun myself. Good-bye.
They all shake him by the hand. Then he disappears into the
fire-place. They stand in front of it for a moment, and one of the
brownies kneels down and looks up the chimney after him.
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