he immortals he
protested loudly against granting them.

"Deer are deer," said he, "and nothing but deer. Were they horses it
would be right to harness them like horses. But no one harnesses deer
because they are free, wild creatures, owing no service of any sort to
mankind. It would degrade my deer to labor for Claus, who is only a
man in spite of the friendship lavished on him by the immortals."

"You have heard," said the Prince to Ak. "There is truth in what Will
says."

"Call Glossie and Flossie," returned the Master.

The deer were brought to the conference and Ak asked them if they
objected to drawing the sledge for Claus.

"No, indeed!" replied Glossie; "we enjoyed the trip very much."

"And we tried to get home by daybreak," added Flossie, "but were
unfortunately a minute too late."

"A minute lost at daybreak doesn't matter," said Ak. "You are forgiven
for that delay."

"Provided it does not happen again," said the Prince of the Knooks,
sternly.

"And will you permit them to make another journey with me?" asked
Claus, eagerly.

The Prince reflected while he gazed at Will, who was scowling, and at
the Master Woodsman, who was smiling.

Then he stood up and addressed the company as follows:

"Since you all urge me to grant the favor I will permit the deer to go
with Claus once every year, on Christmas Eve, provided they always
return to the Forest by daybreak. He may select any number he pleases,
up to ten, to draw his sledge, and those shall be known among us as
Reindeer, to distinguish them from the others. And they shall bathe in
the Pool of Nares, and eat the casa and grawle and marbon plants and
shall be under the especial protection of the Fairy Queen. And now
cease scowling, Will Knook, for my words shall be obeyed!"

He hobbled quickly away through the trees, to avoid the thanks of Claus
and the approval of the other immortals, and Will, looking as cross as
ever, followed him.

But Ak was satisfied, knowing that he could rely on the promise of the
Prince, however grudgingly given; and Glossie and Flossie ran home,
kicking up their heels delightedly at every step.

"When is Christmas Eve?" Claus asked the Master.

"In about ten days," he replied.

"Then I can not use the deer this year," said Claus, thoughtfully, "for
I shall not have time enough to make my sackful of toys."

"The shrewd Prince foresaw that," responded Ak, "and therefore named
Christmas Eve as the day you m