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10. Christmas Eve

The day that broke as Claus returned from his night ride with Glossie and

Flossie brought to him a new trouble. Will Knook, the chief guardian of the

deer, came to him, surly and ill-tempered, to complain that he had kept

Glossie and Flossie beyond daybreak, in opposition to his orders.

Yet it could not have been very long after daybreak," said Claus.

It was one minute after," answered Will Knook, "and that is as bad as one

hour. I shall set the stinging gnats on Glossie and Flossie, and they will thus

suffer terribly for their disobedience."

Don't do that!" begged Claus. "It was my fault."

But Will Knook would listen to no excuses, and went away grumbling and

growling in his ill-natured way.

For this reason Claus entered the Forest to consult Necile about rescuing the

good deer from punishment. To his delight he found his old friend, the Master

Woodsman, seated in the circle of Nymphs.

Ak listened to the story of the night journey to the children and of the great

assistance the deer had been to Claus by drawing his sledge over the frozen

snow.

I do not wish my friends to be punished if I can save them," said the toy-

maker, when he had finished the relation. "They were only one minute late,

and they ran swifter than a bird flies to get home before daybreak."

Ak stroked his beard thoughtfully a moment, and then sent for the Prince of

the Knooks, who rules all his people in Burzee, and also for the Queen of the

Fairies and the Prince of the Ryls.

When all had assembled Claus told his story again, at Ak's command, and

then the Master addressed the Prince of the Knooks, saying:

The good work that Claus is doing among mankind deserves the support of

every honest immortal. Already he is called a Saint in some of the towns, and

before long the name of Santa Claus will be lovingly known in every home that

is blessed with children. Moreover, he is a son of our Forest, so we owe him

our encouragement. You, Ruler of the Knooks, have known him these many

years; am I not right in saying he deserves our friendship?"

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus