"I am very stupid this morning," I began. "The fact is I mistook you
for a toy. A foolish error."
"I AM a toy."
"In that case," I said in some annoyance, "I can't stay here arguing
with you. Good-morning." And I took my hat off for the third time.
"Don't go. Stop and buy me. You'll never get what you want if you
don't take me with you. I've been in this place for years, and I
know exactly where everything is. Besides, as I shall have to give
away all your presents for you, it's only fair that--"
An attendant came up and looked at me inquiringly.
"How much is this THING?" I said, and jerked a thumb at it.
"The Father Christmas?"
"Yes. I think I'll have it. I'll take it with me--you needn't wrap
it up."