As I have said, he was not a Teddy Bear, though sometimes he looked like one.  He was made entirely of soft, brown, silky plush.  This plush covered from view the clock wheels and springs inside the Bear, which when wound up, caused him to move and growl.  But the wheels did not give the Bear his wise look.  That was put on his face by one of the workmen of Santa Claus.

“Oh, I know what we can do!” suddenly cried a Polar Bear, who had just shuffled along to join the fun.  The Polar Bear was like the Plush Bear only a different color, the Plush Bear being brown, and the Polar Bear white.

“What shall we do?” asked the Flannel Pig, as he wiped some snow water out of one of his eyes.

“Let’s build a big snow house, such as the Eskimos all about the North Pole build,” went on the Polar Bear.  “There is enough snow being blown in through the open windows to make a lot of houses.  And we can make a hill, and slide down that, too!”

“Yes, let’s do it,” said the Woolen Doll Boy.  But just then the Plush Bear shook his head and growled out: 

“Be careful, everybody!  I think some one is coming!  We must not be seen in motion, or be heard talking.  Keep quiet, every one!”

Each of the toys became as still as a little chocolate mouse.

Then one of the open windows was darkened as a strange creature looked in.  It seemed to be a boy, but he was covered with skins and fur, almost like an animal.  Only his face could be seen.  His hands, as he rested them on the sill of the window, were covered with big, fur mittens.

“Oh, ho!  Nobody is here!  I can take one of the toys!” said the fur-dressed Eskimo boy, for such he was.  “Now is my chance!  I’ll take that big bear!”

The Eskimo boy, one of a strange, unknown race that live at the North Pole, was just climbing in through the open window, when suddenly, at the far end of the shop, a voice cried: 

“Oh, my goodness!  Look what has happened!  Some one left the windows open and a lot of snow has blown in!  Quick, my merry men!  Close the windows and start work to finish the toys!  I hope none is spoiled!”

And with that Santa Claus himself hurried into the shop.

CHAPTER II

THE LITTLE ESKIMO

Following Santa Claus, his little men hurried into the North Pole shop.  They were dancing and capering about, for they felt very lively after their rest, and they were ready to start again making toys, or finishing those half completed.

“Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Such a lot of trouble!” cried Santa Claus, but even this trouble could not keep the laughter out of his jolly voice.  “Snow!  Snow!  Snow all over everything!” went on Saint Nicholas.  “Who left the windows open so that all the flakes blew in?” he asked.

“I—­I guess I did, Santa Claus,” replied one of the little men who wore a red cap.  “I wanted some fresh air, for I was working over the paint pots, putting blue eyes in wax dolls, and the paint smell almost choked me.  So I opened some windows.”