The
toy animals could move and talk among themselves now, as long as no
human being was in the room.
The furry animal stood on the table in the midst of the toys. He sat up
on his hind legs and seemed to be eating something that he held in his
forepaws.
"Are you a cat?" asked the Noah's Ark Camel, sort of making his two
humps shiver.
"No, I'm not a cat," was the answer. "I am a Chattering Squirrel, and I
am eating a nut. I live in a hollow tree just outside this house, and,
seeing a window open and all you toys on the table, I jumped in to see
what fun you were having."
"Oh, that's all right," said the Nodding Donkey politely. "We are glad
to see you. But even I was scared, at first. We were just talking among
ourselves while the lame boy is away. He was playing circus with us."
[Illustration: "We Are Glad to See You," Said the Nodding Donkey.
_Page 73_]
"I know the lame boy," said the Chattering Squirrel. "He is very kind
to me. He puts nuts out for me to eat. I am eating one now. Will you
have a nibble?" and the squirrel held out the nut to the Nodding Donkey.
"No, thank you; I don't eat nuts," returned the new toy.
"I eat other things, too," went on the Squirrel. "I take them right out
of the lame boy's hand, and I never nip him, for I like him and he likes
me.
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