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brother, Mayrie, because he is the smaller; and the next one I make shall be
for you."
The boy's face was bright with smiles as he took the precious toy Claus held
out to him; but little Mayrie covered her face with her arm and began to sob
grievously.
"
I--I--I wants a t--t--tat now!" she wailed.
Her disappointment made Claus feel miserable for a moment. Then he
suddenly remembered Shiegra.
"
Don't cry, darling!" he said, soothingly; "I have a toy much nicer than a cat,
and you shall have that."
He went to the cupboard and drew out the image of the lioness, which he
placed on the table before Mayrie.
The girl raised her arm and gave one glance at the fierce teeth and glaring eyes
of the beast, and then, uttering a terrified scream, she rushed from the house.
The boy followed her, also screaming lustily, and even dropping his precious
cat in his fear.
For a moment Claus stood motionless, being puzzled and astonished. Then he
threw Shiegra's image into the cupboard and ran after the children, calling to
them not to be frightened.
Little Mayrie stopped in her flight and her brother clung to her skirt; but they
both cast fearful glances at the house until Claus had assured them many
times that the beast had been locked in the cupboard.
"
Yet why were you frightened at seeing it?" he asked. "It is only a toy to play
with!"
"
It's bad!" said Mayrie, decidedly, "an'--an'--just horrid, an' not a bit nice, like
tats!"
"
Perhaps you are right," returned Claus, thoughtfully. "But if you will return
with me to the house I will soon make you a pretty cat."
So they timidly entered the house again, having faith in their friend's words;
and afterward they had the joy of watching Claus carve out a cat from a bit of
wood and paint it in natural colors. It did not take him long to do this, for he
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