It really would be quite impossible to describe the wonderful things he showed them.  Jem’s head was quite in a whirl before she had seen one-half of them, and even Baby condescended to become excited.

“There must be a great many children in the world, Mr. Claus,” ventured Jem.

“Yes, yes, millions of ’em; bless ’em,” said S.C., growing rosier with delight at the very thought.  “We never run out of them, that’s one comfort.  There’s a large and varied assortment always on hand.  Fresh ones every year, too, so that when one grows too old there is a new one ready.  I have a place like this in every twelfth chimney.  Now it’s boys, now it’s girls, always one or t’other; and there’s no end of playthings for them, too, I’m glad to say.  For girls, the great thing seems to be dolls.  Blitzen! what comfort they do take in dolls! but the boys are for horses and racket.”

They were standing near a table where a worker was just putting the finishing touch to the dress of a large wax doll, and just at that moment, to Jem’s surprise, she set it on the floor, upon its feet, quite coolly.

“Thank you,” said the doll, politely.

Jem quite jumped.

“You can join the rest now and introduce yourself,” said the worker.

The doll looked over her shoulder at her train.

“It hangs very nicely,” she said.  “I hope it’s the latest fashion.”

“Mine never talked like that,” said Flora.  “My best one could only say ‘Mamma,’ and it said it very badly, too.”

“She was foolish for saying it at all,” remarked the doll, haughtily.  “We don’t talk and walk before ordinary people; we keep our accomplishments for our own amusement, and for the amusement of our friends.  If you should chance to get up in the middle of the night, some time, or should run into the room suddenly some day, after you have left it, you might hear—­but what is the use of talking to human beings?”

“You know a great deal, considering you are only just finished,” snapped Baby, who really was a Tartar.

“I was FINISHED,” retorted the doll “I did not begin life as a baby!” very scornfully.

“Pooh!” said Baby.  “We improve as we get older.”

“I hope so, indeed,” answered the doll.  “There is plenty of room for improvement.”  And she walked away in great state.

S.C. looked at Baby and then shook his head.  “I shall not have to take very much care of you,” he said, absent-mindedly.  “You are able to take pretty good care of yourself.”

“I hope I am,” said Baby, tossing her head.

S.C. gave his head another shake.

“Don’t take too good care of yourself,” he said.  “That’s a bad thing, too.”

He showed them the rest of his wonders, and then went with them to the door to bid them good-bye.

“I am sure we are very much obliged to you, Mr. Claus,” said Jem, gratefully.  “I shall never again think you are not true, sir”.