Part 12 (1/2)

”I didn't know, my dear, that you were going to bring any of your toys with you,” said Arnold's mother, with a smile.

”I didn't know it either!” he answered, with a laugh. He reached out his hand to pick up his Soldier and put him back in his pocket when, down at the other end of the toy counter, one of the clerks suddenly began spinning a humming top, which showed different colors and played a little tune as it whirled around.

”Oh, I want to see that!” cried Arnold.

”So do I!” echoed Mirabell.

”Perhaps that would be an Easter toy for Madeline,” thought Mother.

So all three of them moved down toward the end of the toy counter, Arnold, for the moment, forgetting about his Tin Captain, who was thus left standing among his old friends with no one to watch him or them.

”Oh, how glad we are to see you here again!” exclaimed the Calico Clown. ”We have only a moment before the folks come back, but tell us all about your adventures.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bold Tin Soldier Compliments Calico Clown.]

”Oh, it would take too long,” said the Bold Tin Soldier. ”I have had some remarkable ones, but falling into a sugar barrel was the queerest. But what a fine pair of trousers you have, Clown,” he said.

The funny chap looked pleased at this.

”Yes, these are the new ones the girl made for me after I scorched mine climbing the string too near the gas--the time you saved me, you know,” replied the Clown.

”My! you look gay enough for a circus,” said the Soldier.

”I'd like to join one,” the Clown went on. ”But I don't suppose there is any chance. I've been on this toy counter so long I'm beginning to believe I shall always live here. But you--you have been out to see the world! You have had adventures!”

”Yes, I suppose you may say I have,” admitted the Bold Tin Soldier.

”But though my men and I have a fine home with Arnold, still I get lonesome for you toys once in a while. I have met the Sawdust Doll, the White Rocking Horse, and the Lamb on Wheels. Now I am glad to meet you all once more. And how is my friend the Candy Rabbit?” the Captain asked, as he saw the long-eared chap standing near him.

”I am quite well, thank you,” the Rabbit answered. ”It will soon be Easter, and then perhaps my adventures will begin.”

”It certainly is good to see you again,” said the Monkey on a Stick to the Captain. ”I have been wis.h.i.+ng I could get away from here for a time, to have some adventures, but, so far, I haven't had a chance.”

”Your time will come,” said the Captain. ”You are such a lively chap that I should think you would have many things happen to you.”

”Yes, I'm not slow, whatever else you may say about me,” chattered the Monkey, and, with that, he turned a somersault on his stick, but of course none of the people in the store saw him, for that was not allowed, you know.

”Hus.h.!.+ The people are coming back!” suddenly called the Candy Rabbit, and, surely enough, Mirabell, Arnold and their mother came back after having seen the buzzing top.