“He was in the barrel of sugar,” was the answer. “You must have dropped him in when you were eating cookies this afternoon.”
“Maybe I did!” said the boy. “Oh, I am so glad to get you back!” he went on, as he carried the Captain upstairs. “Thank you, Susan!”
Then the Bold Tin Soldier was placed at the head of his men on the table, and they were together once more.
“What happened to you? Why were you away from us so long?” whispered the Sergeant to the Captain, when Arnold went out of the room a moment.
“I was in a barrel of sugar,” was the answer. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
And that night, when all was still and quiet in the house, the Captain told his story.
“That was a wonderful adventure!” said the Corporal.
“Yes,” agreed the Captain, “it was. I wish the toys back at the store could hear it. I rather think it would surprise the Calico Clown.”
Arnold was playing with his tin toys one day when his mother called to him.
“Arnold, get on your overcoat. I am going to take you and Mirabell down to the toy store. I want to get a little Easter present for your cousin Madeline.”