"Is the varnish dry?" asked St. Nicholas.
"Yes," answered the little man, testing it lightly with his finger.
"Then put him in," said Santa Claus. "I'll take the Nodding Donkey to Earth with me."
"Oh, joy! Now I shall have some adventures! Now I shall see what the Earth is like!" thought the Nodding Donkey.
A moment later he was picked up, wrapped in soft paper, and thrust into a bag.
"Oh, how very dark it is here," said the Donkey in a whisper.
"Hush!" whispered a Jumping Jack near him. "Don't talk! Santa Claus might hear you. He has very sharp ears. You'll be all right. It is no darker than night."
More toys, all carefully wrapped, came tumbling into the bag, and the merry jingle of bells grew louder. Then the voice of Santa Claus could be heard shouting:
"Hi there, Dasher! Stand still, Prancer! Whoa, Blitzen! What's the matter, Comet? Are you anxious to get to Earth again? Well, we'll soon start. Steady there, Cupid! Whoa!"