“Good-bye, Wooden Cow!” she said, and turned away. “Oh, Santa Claus! Santa Claus! what is the way I am to go?” “This way!” said Santa Claus. He rolled back another door inside the barn. By the light of the lantern he carried, Bab could see some beautiful animals standing in stalls such as horses have. But these were not horses. They had great, spreading antlers, delicate hoofs, and noble heads; and they looked at Santa Claus, and stamped as though in the highest excitement. “They are anxious to be off!” he said, looking at them proudly. “There, my beauties! Only a moment more! Ah! they miss the Christmas season, poor beasts!” “But—what—why—” stammered Bab, bewildered. “Come, come!” said Santa Claus. “Help me!” [Illustration: “‘I DON’T THINK I LIKE YOU,’ SAID THE SEA KOBOLD, ‘YOU MAY GO’”] “But,” said Bab, “to do what?” Santa Claus looked at her and laughed aloud. “To harness the reindeer!” he cried. * * * * * At the Court of the Fairies Meg was standing before the Queen, saying good-bye. “How am I to send the spell back to you after we have freed Humpty Dumpty?” she said. “Bizzybuzz will bring it. He is an old friend of mine, and always welcome at court.” Suddenly two musical voices were heard singing. “Hush, Klang and Tinkle!” said the Queen. “I wish to bid the little mortal girl good-bye in peace!” “But,” said the two Goblins, “we want to tell her that we met her sister a short time ago, and that she seemed in excellent health and admired our music greatly.” “How nice!” cried Meg. “I’m so glad you met Bab!” But the Queen interrupted. “You must not talk to these two idle-headed Goblins,” she said severely. “Think of poor Humpty Dumpty, and hurry! If Klang and Tinkle _did_ meet your sister, I am certain that they delayed her all they could!” The two hung their heads, but suddenly raised them again. “_But_,” they explained, “we want to make up for all that by suggesting that it is not safe for the mortal girl to travel back alone with the spell through the Wonderful Wood.” “I suppose that you both want to go with her?” said the Queen. “Surely, your Majesty!” said the two, cheerfully. “So that you may have some one to admire you and listen to your singing!” said the Queen, scornfully. “No, indeed, you shall not go with her; but I agree with you about the dangers of her going alone. Let me think—” Just at that moment a soft, whirring noise was heard overhead. “What is that?” exclaimed the Fairy Queen. Meg clapped her hands joyfully. “It’s Bizzybuzz!” she cried. “Perhaps he has brought some news!” Bizzybuzz alighted in front of the Queen, and bowed low. “Your Majesty’s humble servant!” he said. “What news, what news, Bizzybuzz?” cried Meg. “I must know first of all if you have any news!” With an excited flutter of his gauzy wings he answered: “News indeed! Bab has finished her task!” “And I mine!” said Meg, proudly.