much as Little Girl did, now, wouldn't you? So, just as Little Girl was
wishing as hard as ever she could wish, she heard a Tiny Voice say,
"Hold tight to his arm! Hold tight to his arm!" So she held Santa's arm
tight and close, and he shouldered his pack, never thinking that it was
heavier than usual, and with a bound and a slide, there they were,
Santa, Little Girl, pack and all, right in the middle of a room where
there was a fireplace and stockings all hung up for Santa to fill.

Just then Santa noticed Little Girl. He had forgotten all about her for
a minute, and he was very much surprised to find that she had come,
too. "Bless my soul!" he said, "where did you come from, Little Girl?
and how in the world can we both get back up that chimney again? It's
easy enough to slide down, but it's quite another matter to climb up
again!" and Santa looked real worried. But Little Girl was beginning to
feel very tired by this time, for she had had a very exciting evening,
so she said, "Oh, never mind me, Santa. I've had such a good time, and
I'd just as soon stay here a while as not. I believe I'll curl up on
his hearth-rug a few minutes and have a little nap, for it looks as
warm and cozy as our own hearth-rug at home, and--why, it is our own
hearth and it's my own nursery, for there is Teddy Bear in his chair
where I leave him every night, and there's Bunny Cat curled up on his
cushion in the corner."

And Little Girl turned to thank Santa and say goodbye to him, but
either he had gone very quickly, or else she had fallen asleep very
quickly--she never could tell which--for the next thing she knew, Daddy
was holding her in his arms and was saying, "What is my Little Girl
doing here? She must go to bed, for it's Christmas Eve, and old Santa
won't come if he thinks there are any little folks about."