3. The Adoption

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

by L. Frank Baum

The Master Woodsman suddenly rose, with knitted brows. "There is
a strange presence in the Forest," he declared. Then the Queen and
her nymphs turned and saw standing before them Necile, with the
sleeping infant clasped tightly in her arms and a defiant look in her
deep blue eyes.

And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with
surprise and consternation, but the brow of the Master Woodsman
gradually clearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful immortal
who had wilfully broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of
all, laid his hand softly on Necile's flowing locks and kissed her on
her fair forehead.

"For the first time within my knowledge," said he, gently, "a
nymph has defied me and my laws; yet in my heart can I find no word
of chiding. What is your desire, Necile?"

"Let me keep the child!" she answered, beginning to tremble and
falling on her knees in supplication.

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee, where the human race has never
yet penetrated?" questioned Ak.

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee," replied the nymph, boldly. "It
is my home, and I am weary for lack of occupation. Let me care for
the babe! See how weak and helpless it is. Surely it can not harm
Burzee nor the Master Woodsman of the World!"

"But the Law, child, the Law!" cried Ak, sternly.

"The Law is made by the Master Woodsman," returned Necile; "if
he bids me care for the babe he himself has saved from death, who in
all the world dare oppose me?" Queen Zurline, who had listened
intently to this conversation, clapped her pretty hands gleefully at
the nymph's answer.

"You are fairly trapped, O Ak!" she exclaimed, laughing. "Now,
I pray you, give heed to Necile's petition."

The Woodsman, as was his habit when in thought, stroked his
grizzled beard slowly. Then he said:

"She shall keep the babe, and I will give it my protection. But
I warn you all that as this is the first time I have relaxed the Law,
so shall it be the last time. Never more, to the end of the World,
shall a mortal be adopted by an immortal. Otherwise would we abandon
our happy existence for one of trouble and anxiety. Good night, my
nymphs!"

Then Ak was gone from their midst, and Necile hurried away to
her bower to rejoice over her new-found treasure.