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Just as of old he had dispensed to all children alike the homelier toys of his youth, so now he gave to all children alike these more beautiful and more curious gifts. So little children everywhere loved Claus, because he gave them pretty toys, and their parents loved him because he made their little ones so happy. But now Norss and Faia were come to old age.
"No, I could not endure the disappointment. You have the great opportunity of the earth. You could be equal and just, and simple and kind. There is nothing to hinder you. But all you try to do is to get more and more money." "Now, that isn't faia, Mr. Belsky, and you know it." Well, then, you joke, joke always joke. Like that Mr. Hinkle.
No sooner had he said these words than Claus felt the gift of immortality bestowed upon him; and in that moment, too, there came to him a knowledge that his parents' prayer had been answered, and that Norss and Faia would live in him through all time.
When Norss and his bride reached their home, Jans, the forge-master, and the other neighbors made great joy, and all said that Faia was more beautiful than any other maiden in the land. So merry was Jans that he built a huge fire in his forge, and the flames thereof filled the whole Northern sky with rays of light that danced up, up, up to the Star, singing glad songs the while.
Then likewise did Faia; and suddenly the place was filled with a wondrous brightness and with strange music, and never thereafter were Norss and Faia beholden of men. Until late that night Claus toiled at his forge; for it was a busy season with him, and he had many, many curious and beauteous things to make for the little children in the country round about.
That night Norss dreamed that a spirit came to him, and that the spirit said to him: "Norss, thou shalt surely live forever in thy son Claus, if thou wilt but acknowledge the symbol." Then when the morning was come Norss told his dream to Faia, his wife; and Faia said, "The same dream had I, an angel appearing to me and speaking these very words." "But what of the symbol?" cried Norss.
An angel came to me in my dreams last night, and the angel said: 'Stand upon the beach to-day, and Norss shall come out of the North to bear thee home a bride. So, coming here, I found thee sailing to our shore." Remembering then the spirit's words, Norss said: "What symbol have you, Faia, that I may know how truly you have spoken?"
"No symbol have I but this," said Faia, holding out the symbol that was attached to the golden chain about her neck. Norss looked upon it, and lo! it was the symbol of his dreams, a tiny wooden cross. Then Norss clasped Faia in his arms and kissed her, and entering into the boat they sailed away into the North.
So Norss and Faia were wed, and they went to live in the cabin in the fir-grove. To these two was born in good time a son, whom they named Claus. On the night that he was born wondrous things came to pass.
"I have it here, about my neck," said Faia. So saying, Faia drew from her bosom the symbol of wood, a tiny cross suspended about her neck by the golden chain.
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