22. Important Arrivals

           FirstenteredabandofRylsfromtheHappyValley,allmerrylittlespriteslikefairyelves.AdozencrookedKnooksfollowedfromthegreatForestofBurzee.Theyhadlongwhiskersandpointedcapsandcurlingtoes,yetwerenotallerthanButton-Bright’sshoulder.Withthisgroupcameamansoeasytorecognizeandsoimportantanddearlybelovedthroughouttheknownworld,thatallpresentrosetotheirfeetandbowedtheirheadsinrespectfulhomage,evenbeforetheHighChamberlainknelttoannouncehisname.

           "ThemostMightyandLoyalFriendofChildren,HisSupremeHighness—SantaClaus!"saidtheChamberlain,inanawedvoice.

           "Well,well,well!Gladtoseeyou—gladtomeetyouall!"criedSantaClaus,briskly,ashetrottedupthelongroom.

           Hewasroundasanapple,withafreshrosyface,laughingeyes,andabushybeardaswhiteassnow.AredcloaktrimmedwithbeautifulerminehungfromhisshouldersanduponhisbackwasabasketfilledwithprettypresentsforthePrincessOzma.

           "Hello,Dorothy;stillhavingadventures?"heaskedinhisjollyway,ashetookthegirl’shandinbothhisown.

           "Howdidyouknowmyname,Santa?"shereplied,feelingmoreshyinthepresenceofthisimmortalsaintthansheeverhadbeforeinheryounglife.

           "Why,don’tIseeyoueveryChristmasEve,whenyou’reasleep?"herejoined,pinchingherblushingcheek.

           "Oh,doyou?"

           "Andhere’sButton-Bright,Ideclare!"criedSantaClaus,holdinguptheboytokisshim."Whatalongwayfromhomeyouare;dearme!"

           "DoyouknowButton-Bright,too?"questionedDorothy,eagerly.

           "IndeedIdo.