She could hardly wait for Santa to come, and just as she had begun to wonder where he was, the door opened again and out came a whole forest of Christmas trees, at least it looked just as if a whole forest had started out for a walk somewhere, but a second glance showed Little Girl that there were thousands of Christmas sprites, and that each one carried a tree or a big Christmas wreath on his back.  Behind them all, she could hear some one laughing loudly, and talking in a big, jovial voice that sounded as if he were good friends with the whole world.

And straightway she knew that Santa himself was coming.  Little Girl’s heart went pit-a-pat for a minute while she wondered if Santa would notice her, but she didn’t have to wonder long, for he spied her at once and said: 

“Bless my soul! who’s this? and where did you come from?”

Little Girl thought perhaps she might be afraid to answer him, but she wasn’t one bit afraid.  You see he had such a kind little twinkle in his eyes that she felt happy right away as she replied, “Oh, I’m Little Girl, and I wanted so much to see Santa that I just came, and here I am!”

“Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!” laughed Santa, “and here you are!  Wanted to see Santa, did you, and so you came!  Now that’s very nice, and it’s too bad I’m in such a hurry, for we should like nothing better than to show you about and give you a real good time.  But you see it is quarter of twelve now, and I must be on my way at once, else I’ll never reach that first chimney-top by midnight.  I’d call Mrs. Santa and ask her to get you some supper, but she is busy finishing dolls’ clothes which must be done before morning, and I guess we’d better not bother her.  Is there anything that you would like, Little Girl?” and good old Santa put his big warm hand on Little Girl’s curls and she felt its warmth and kindness clear down to her very heart.  You see, my dears, that even though Santa was in such a great hurry, he wasn’t too busy to stop and make some one happy for a minute, even if it was some one no bigger than Little Girl.

So she smiled back into Santa’s face and said:  “Oh, Santa, if I could only ride down to Earth with you behind those splendid reindeer!  I’d love to go; won’t you please take me?  I’m so small that I won’t take up much room on the seat, and I’ll keep very still and not bother one bit!”

Then Santa laughed, such a laugh, big and loud and rollicking, and he said, “Wants a ride, does she?  Well, well, shall we take her, Little Elves?  Shall we take her, Little Fairies?  Shall we take her, Good Reindeer?”