Off to their box marched the Tin Soldiers led by the Sergeant, who was next in command to the Captain. There ought to have been a First and Second Lieutenant, but the man who made the tin toys had forgotten them.
So the Sergeant led the Tin Soldiers back to their box after the make-believe battle. And, like good and proper soldiers, they stood themselves in straight rows. No standing around in a crowd, or lying down in hammocks, or stretching out under trees for these Tin Soldiers!
No, indeed! They stood up as straight and stiff as their own guns!
“Did you like our drill and sham battle?” asked the Bold Tin Soldier Captain of the Rag Doll, strolling over to speak to her before going back to join his men.
“Very much, indeed,” she answered. “At first I thought I might faint when the guns shot off, but they were fired so gently that I did not, and the Calico Clown did not have to catch me in his arms.”
“I don’t let my Soldiers use too much powder in their guns,” answered the Captain. “It is a sort of tooth powder we use in these make-believe fights, and then no one is hurt.”
“It will be lonesome if you go away from us,” said the Rag Doll, with a sigh, as she looked at the Bold Tin Soldier.
“Thank you for being so kind as to say that,” said the Bold Tin Soldier. “But I have no notion of going away until I have to.”
However, he little knew what was going to happen nor that he was to be taken away much sooner than he expected.
“I had better be getting over to the box with my Soldiers, I think,” said the Captain, as he thrust his shiny sword back into the scabbard at his side. “Our fun for to-night is over.”