"Oh, I'm fine!" was the answer. "And look what Mother bought me!"
Joe pointed to the Nodding Donkey on the mantel.
"Well, he is a fine fellow!" exclaimed Mr. Richmond. "Where did he come from?"
"From the toy shop," Joe answered, and then, even though supper was almost ready, he had to show his father how the Donkey nodded his head.
"He surely is a jolly chap!" cried Daddy Richmond, when he had taken up the Donkey and looked him all over. "And now how are your legs?" he asked Joe.
"They hurt some; but I don't mind them so much when I have my Donkey," was the answer.
After supper Joe again played with his toy, and, noticing that their son was not listening, Mr. and Mrs. Richmond talked about him in low voices.
"He doesn't really seem to be much better," said the father sadly.
"No," agreed the mother. "I am afraid we shall have to let the doctor break that one leg and set it over again. That may make our boy well."
"I hope so," said Mr. Richmond, and both he and his wife were sad as they thought of the lame one.