It is Christmas Eve. Jan and Katrina have taken off their wooden shoes. They have scrubbed them white as snow, and they have set them down by the fireplace. “We must not forget the white horse,” says Jan. So, near by, they have placed a pretty red and yellow basket. In it are some carrots, some hay, and some oats. They are for the white horse of St. Nicholas. Mother tucks the children in their funny Dutch beds in the wall. They look very snug and warm. Their round cheeks are very red and their eyes are very bright. “I hope St. Nicholas will not leave me a switch, Mother,” says Jan. “O, I hope not,” says Katrina. “You do not think he will, do you, Mother?” Mother smiles and shakes her head: “I cannot tell, my little ones,” she says. “Go to sleep now, and in the morning we shall see.” So Jan and Katrina turn their faces to the wall. They cuddle up in their warm feather beds and go to sleep. CHRISTMAS MORNING Jan and Katrina got up early on Christmas morning. They ran to the fireplace. There were the wooden shoes! They were filled with good things. There were toys on the floor beside the shoes. [Illustration] “O Mother! Father! Come quick! See what the good St. Nicholas has brought us!” cried Jan and Katrina. “What beautiful gifts!” says mother. “St. Nicholas must think you are good children.” [Illustration] St. Nicholas brought Jan a little wooden horse on wheels. He brought him a woolly lamb that says “Baa” when you press a spring in its back. Jan had three books, too, and a pen and a red pen-holder. What fine gifts! [Illustration] Katrina had a little cradle for her doll. She had a doll-cart. She had a gold chain, a lace collar, and a pretty blue gown. Jan and Katrina also had many sweetmeats, nuts, and little cakes. BRAM’S RABBITS Bram’s father gave him some rabbits. They are white rabbits, with pink eyes. They have long, pink ears. They are very pretty. They like to eat clover and cabbage and lettuce. Katrina and Jan like to go to Bram’s house. When they go there, Jan says, “Let us go out and see the rabbits, Bram.” And Bram says, “All right. Come on, Katrina.” But Katrina wants to stay and play with baby Annetka. “You go on, boys,” says she. “I will come by and by.” So the boys go out to see the rabbits. Katrina plays with little Annetka. She throws a big ball to the baby. The baby tries to catch it, but she cannot. [Illustration] Katrina puts Annetka in her little cart. She rides her up and down on the brick path in the garden. The baby likes to see the pretty flowers. She likes to look at the white shells and stones by the garden path. By and by Annetka’s mother comes out. “It is time for your nap, baby,” says she. So she takes little Annetka into the house. Then Katrina runs away to see the rabbits. [Illustration] THE MARKET One day Katrina and Jan went to market with Bram and his father. They sailed down the canal on the barge. The market place was full of noise and busy life.