Mugg and in the workshop of Santa Claus.
"Now comes the Tiger," said Joe, going on with his circus play, and he
set that striped animal down near the Donkey. "And then the Lion. I hope
they don't bite my new Donkey."
But the Noah's Ark animals were very good and kind, and they did not so
much as open their mouths at the Nodding Donkey. Joe played away and had
lots of fun at his pretend circus, while his mother got the supper
ready. Once when she came into the room where the lame boy sat at the
table, Mrs. Richmond said:
"I just saw some friends of yours going past, Joe."
"Who were they?" asked Joe.
"Arnold and Sidney," was the answer. "Arnold had his Bold Tin Soldier,
and Sidney was carrying his Calico Clown."
"Oh, I want to see them!" cried Joe. "They have such fun with their
toys, and I want them to come in and see mine."
"I'm afraid it is too late--they have gone on home," answered Mrs.
Richmond, but Joe took his crutches, which stood near his chair, and
hobbled into the front room, where he could look out in the street to
see the boys of whom his mother had spoken.
The Nodding Donkey was left on the table with the other animals from the
Noah's Ark. As Mrs. Richmond, as well as Joe, was out of the room, and
there was no one to look at them, the animals could do as they pleased.
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