The children stayed at this bed for a long time.
At last Margaret said: "But where is Santa Claus? We wanted to see
him."
"Oh, to be sure," said the Brownie. "Come along," and he led them down
a long, winding walk, to the edge of the garden. Then he pointed to a
hill in the distance.
"Do you see that large white house? There is where he lives."
The children stared at it. It was so white that it seemed to shine in
the distance.
"Walk right across here," said the Brownie, "then up the hill to Santa
Claus's house."
"Oh, must we walk across there?" said Margaret. She stared down at
the deep dark chasm between the garden and the hill; across it was
stretched a narrow plank.
"Walk carefully," said the Brownie, "and mind you don't look down; for
if you do, I'm afraid you won't see Santa Claus to-night."
"We'll be very careful," said Jack. "Come along, Margaret," and he
took his little sister's hand and they started across the plank.
They had almost reached the middle of it when Jack looked down.
"Oh!" he said, and gave Margaret a pull.
She looked down too, and cried "Oh, Oh!" and down, down, down they
went.
Suddenly they landed with a thump. They sat up and rubbed their eyes.
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