Suddenly, in through a kitchen window that had been left open came Frisky, the Chattering Squirrel. Over the floor scampered the lively little chap, and he gave a sort of whistle at Joe.
"Oh, hello, Frisky!" said the lame boy, opening his eyes. "I'm glad you came in!"
Of course Frisky could not say so in boy language, but he, too, was glad to see Joe.
"Come here, Frisky!" called Joe, and he held out his hand.
"I guess he has some nuts for me," thought the squirrel, and he was right. In one pocket Joe had some nuts, and now he held these out to his little live pet.
Frisky took a nut in his paw, which was almost like a hand, and then, as squirrels often do, he looked for a high place on which he might perch himself to eat. Frisky saw the shelf over Joe's couch, the same shelf on which stood the Nodding Donkey.
"I'll go up there to eat the nut," said Frisky to himself.
Up he scrambled, but he was such a lively little chap that in swinging his tail from side to side he brushed it against the Nodding Donkey.
With a crash that toy fell to the floor near Joe's couch!