The Ink-Bottle Mamma said, “We will go with pleasure.” The days passed very fast after that, and it was almost Christmas time; and all would have gone well, I am sure, but two days before Christmas Molly was taken sick, and Polly said, “I don’t feel well either.” Then what do you suppose happened? All the Ink-Bottle Babies came down with the measles. They cried and they howled, “We can’t go away on Christmas Day! Oh dear! Oh dear!” [Illustration: “_I don’t feel well either_”] When they had stopped their noise the Ink-Bottle Mamma said, “Never mind, Santa Claus will not forget you.” Then the Ink-Bottle Babies dried their eyes. They began to think about Santa Claus. Toward evening a package was left at the door. It said, “For the measley Babies from the farmer’s wife.” When the Ink-Bottle Mamma brought the parcel upstairs the Babies cried, “Untie it quickly; please do, and let us all see what is inside!” Then the Ink-Bottle Mamma untied the parcel, and took out a big red book! The book was called “Tip-Top Fairy Tales.” The Ink-Bottle Babies were so happy they forgot all about the measles, and they cried, “Please read us a fairy tale.” The Ink-Bottle Mamma laughed and sat down and read to them. And here is the story she read: There was once a little dwarf who lived all alone in the deep woods. He was so cross that no one would live with him. One evening as he sat alone by his fire he heard the tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, of sleigh bells. “Santa Claus, maybe,” he said, “but what do I know about Santa Claus? I never hung up my stockings in all my life.” Nearer and nearer came the sound of sleigh bells. Then there was a great shout, and the little dwarf went out to see what had happened. Now what do you suppose had happened? [Illustration: “_Brushed Santa Claus all over_”] Santa Claus had driven into a snowdrift and he could not get out. His sleigh had tipped over and his toys had spilled upon the snow. Santa Claus was half buried in the snow when the little dwarf ran out and cried, “Hello, old Santa Claus! Can’t you get out?” The little dwarf pulled and tugged at the reindeer, and he pulled and tugged at Santa Claus. Then he went for a snow-shovel, saying, “You are so big I will have to dig you out!” He dug Santa Claus out of the snow. Then he and Santa picked up the toys, and put them all safely back into the sleigh. Then the little dwarf whisked into the house and came back with a tiny broom and brushed Santa Claus all over, and helped him shake off the snow. Poor old Santa Claus was so wet and cold he began to sneeze, “A-kit-chew! a-kit-chew!” The little dwarf stamped his foot and said, “This will never do! Come in and get warm! Come in and dry your whiskers!” Then Santa Claus laughed until he shook all over, but he was very glad to follow the little dwarf into the house, though he had to stoop to get in at the doorway. He said, “A bowl of soup if you please, Will help Santa not to freeze!”