“Oh, it’s the Bold Tin Soldier!” said the Jack in the Box, who was the Jumping Jack’s cousin. “What’s the matter down there in your barracks, my Bold Tin Soldier?” went on the Box-Jack, as he was sometimes called for short.
“I want my men to get ready to march,” answered the Bold Tin Soldier. “We are going to have a fancy drill to amuse you, my friends. Would you like to see me march my men around the counter?”
“Very much, indeed,” answered the Candy Rabbit. “It is night now, and there are no human eyes to see what we do. So we toys may come to life and move about and make believe we are real as much as we please. We haven’t had very much fun since the jolly sailor came and carried away the Lamb on Wheels.”
“Has any one heard anything from her since she left us?” asked the Calico Clown.
“Oh, yes, the Lamb has a lovely home with a little girl named Mirabell,” answered the Jack in the Box. “And Mirabell has a brother named Arnold, and those two children live next door to Dorothy, who has our dear friend the Sawdust Doll.”
“Really?” asked the Jumping Jack.
“Really and truly,” added the Box-Jack. “And Dorothy’s brother, whose name is Dick, owns the White Rocking Horse who used to be here with us.”
“Why, that is quite remarkable,” said the Monkey on a Stick. “I hope we all get homes with such nice children when we are sold and taken away.”
“You may well say that,” came from the Bold Tin Soldier. “Some children are not as kind to their toys as they might be. But now, if you want to see me and my men march around in fancy drill, please take your places and keep out of the way.”
“Yes, indeed, we must keep out of the way,” said the Candy Rabbit. “I don’t want to get pricked with a soldier’s bayonet or tickled with the Captain’s sword.”