7.  Claus Leaves the Forest

  When good Queen Zurline had touched the golden chalice with
her fair lips and it had passed around the circle in honor of
the travelers' return, the Master Woodsman of the World, who
had not yet spoken, turned his gaze frankly upon Claus and
said:

  "Well?"

  The boy understood, and rose slowly to his feet beside Necile. 
Once only his eyes passed around the familiar circle of
nymphs, every one of whom he remembered as a loving comrade;
but tears came unbidden to dim his sight, so he gazed
thereafter steadfastly at the Master.

  "I have been ignorant," said he, simply, "until the great Ak
in his kindness taught me who and what I am.  You, who live so
sweetly in your forest bowers, ever fair and youthful and
innocent, are no fit comrades for a son of humanity.  For I
have looked upon man, finding him doomed to live for a brief
space upon earth, to toil for the things he needs, to fade
into old age, and then to pass away as the leaves in autumn. 
Yet every man has his mission, which is to leave the world
better, in some way, than he found it.  I am of the race of
men, and man's lot is my lot.  For your tender care of the
poor, forsaken babe you adopted, as well as for your loving
comradeship during my boyhood, my heart will ever overflow
with gratitude.  My foster-mother," here he stopped and kissed
Necile's white forehead, "I shall love and cherish while life
lasts.  But I must leave you, to take my part in the endless
struggle to which humanity is doomed, and to live my life in
my own way."

  "What will you do?" asked the Queen, gravely.

  "I must devote myself to the care of the children of mankind,
and try to make them happy," he answered.  "Since your own
tender care of a babe brought to me happiness and strength, it
is just and right that I devote my life to the pleasure of
other babes.  Thus will the memory of the loving nymph Necile
be planted within the hearts of thousands of my race for many
years to come, and her kindly act be recounted in song and in
story while the world shall last.  Have I spoken well, O
Master?"

  "You have spoken well," returned Ak, and rising to his feet he
continued: "Yet one thing must not be forgotten.  Having been
adopted as the child of the Forest, and the playfellow of the
nymphs, you have gained a distinction which forever separates
you from your kind. Therefore, when you go forth into the
world of men you shall retain the protection of the Forest,
and the powers you now enjoy will remain with you to assist
you in your labors.  In any need you may call upon the Nymphs,
the Ryls, the Knooks and the Fairies, and they will serve you
gladly.  I, the Master Woodsman of the World, have said it,
and my Word is the Law!"

  Claus looked upon Ak with grateful eyes.

  "This will make me mighty among men," he replied.  "Protected
by these kind friends I may be able to make thousands of
little children happy. I will try very hard to do my duty, and
I know the Forest people will give me their sympathy and
help."

  "We will!" said the Fairy Queen, earnestly.

  "We will!" cried the merry Ryls, laughing.

  "We will!" shouted the crooked Knooks, scowling.

  "We will!" exclaimed the sweet nymphs, proudly.  But Necile
said nothing.  She only folded Claus in her arms and kissed
him tenderly.

  "The world is big," continued the boy, turning again to his
loyal friends, "but men are everywhere.  I shall begin my work
near my friends, so that if I meet with misfortune I can come
to the Forest for counsel or help."

  With that he gave them all a loving look and turned away. 
There was no need to say good by, by for him the sweet, wild
life of the Forest was over.  He went forth bravely to meet
his doom--the doom of the race of man--the necessity to worry
and work.

  But Ak, who knew the boy's heart, was merciful and guided his
steps.

  Coming through Burzee to its eastern edge Claus reached the
Laughing Valley of Hohaho.  On each side were rolling green
hills, and a brook wandered midway between them to wind afar
off beyond the valley.  At his back was the grim Forest; at
the far end of the valley a broad plain.  The eyes of the
young man, which had until now reflected his grave thoughts,
became brighter as he stood silent, looking out upon the
Laughing Valley.  Then on a sudden his eyes twinkled, as stars
do on a still night, and grew merry and wide.

  For at his feet the cowslips and daisies smiled on him in
friendly regard; the breeze whistled gaily as it passed by and
fluttered the locks on his forehead; the brook laughed
joyously as it leaped over the pebbles and swept around the
green curves of its banks; the bees sang sweet songs as they
flew from dandelion to daffodil; the beetles chirruped happily
in the long grass, and the sunbeams glinted pleasantly over
all the scene.

  "Here," cried Claus, stretching out his arms as if to embrace
the Valley, "will I make my home!"

  That was many, many years ago.  It has been his home ever
since.  It is his home now.