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Very little news. After the frightful business of last year there has not been even a smell of Goblin for 200 miles round. But as I said it would, it took us far into the summer to repair all the damage, and we lost a lot of sleep and rest. When November came round we did not feel like getting to work, and we were rather slow and so have been rushed at the end. Also it has been unusually warm for the North Pole, and Polar Bear still keeps on yawning.
Paksu and Valkotukka have been here a long while. They have grown a good deal - but still get up to frightful mischief in between times of trying to help. This year they stole my paints and painted scrawls on the white walls of the cellars; ate all the mincemeat out of the pies made ready for Christmas; only yesterday went and unpacked half the parcels to find railway things to play with! They don't get on with the Cave-cubs, somehow; several of these have arrived today and are staying here a few nights with old Cave-Bear who is their uncle, grand-uncle, grandfather, great-grand-uncle, etc. Paksu is always kicking them because they squeak and grunt so funnily. Polar Bear has to box him often - and a box from Polar Bear is no joke. As there are no Goblins about and as there is no wind, and so far much less snow than usual, we are going to have a great Boxing Day party ourselves - out-of-doors. I shall ask 100 Elves and Red Gnomes, lots of Polar Cubs, Cave-cubs, and Snow-babies, and of course Paksu and Valkotukka, and Polar Bear, and Cave-Bear and his nephews (etc.) will be there. We have brought a tree all the way from Norway and planted it in a pool of ice. My picture gives you no idea of its size, or of the loveliness of its magic lights of different colours. We tried them yesterday evening to see if they were all right - see picture. If you see a bright glow in the North, you will know what it is. The tree-ish things behind are snowplants, and piled masses of snow made into ornamental shapes - they are purple and black because of darkness and shadow. The coloured things in front are a special edging to the ice-pool - and it is made of real coloured icing. Paksu and Valkotukka are already nibbling at it, though they should not - till the party.