there.

_Polly pulls the string and the_ DOLL, _in a very squeaky voice,
says_, Ma-ma.

And, by the way, SANTA CLAUS _goes on_, I must put this doll and
that soldier into the shrinking-machine.

Why, what is that, Santa Claus? _asks_ JACK.

The shrinking-machine? _says_ SANTA CLAUS. That is it, over there.
_He points to the tall cupboardy thing at the back. Then he goes
on_. You see it's easier to make toys big, but I couldn't carry them
that way, for the sleigh wouldn't hold them, and besides they wouldn't
go into the stockings. So after they are made, I put them into the
machine, and shrink them. Open the doors, Polly, and we will shrink
these two.

_So Polly opens the doors, and at a signal from Santa Claus the doll
and the soldier walk in; but they move in a funny stiff way, because
they haven't any joints at their knees or elbows._

_Then_ SANTA CLAUS _shuts the doors_. Jack, _say he,_ you
may turn the crank, if you want. _So Jack turns the crank._

_After a little_ SANTA CLAUS _says_: Stop! _Then he opens
the door and out walk, in the same funny stiff way, the doll and the
soldier, only now they are about half as big as they were before. They
walk down to the front._ SANTA CLAUS _looks at them, shakes his
head, and says,_ No, you must be much smaller than that. Go back into