“Not now, Dick,� was Mother’s answer. “But, if you like, you may write Santa Claus a letter telling him you’d like this horse for Christmas.�
“Oh, I’ll do that!� cried the boy.
All day long boys and girls and fathers and mothers and uncles, aunts and cousins came to the toy department to look, and some bought different things which they took away with them, or had sent.
And though many dolls and clowns and candy rabbits and monkeys on sticks were taken from the shelves or the counters, the particular friends about whom I have told you were not sold. Once a lady came in, and the Calico Clown was taken up and shown to her.
“No, I believe I will not buy one to-day,� said the lady.
“Oh, I’m so glad!� thought the Calico Clown to himself. “When I’m bought I want to be bought by a boy or a girl. I can have more fun with them.�
And so the day passed. It began to get dark and lights glowed in the store. The stream of shoppers thinned out, and the tired girls who waited behind the counters put away their aprons and left for home. The porters began to sweep, and then the lights were put out one by one and only the watchman was left in the store.
“Well, another day has gone!� said the Sawdust Doll, as she sat up and waved her hand to the Bold Tin Soldier.
“Yes, and it came nearly being your last day with us,� remarked the Calico Clown. “I heard what the little girl said. I believe she is going to take you away.�
“Well, I shall be sorry to leave you, my friends, of course,� said the Sawdust Doll. “But that little girl looked kind and good. I should not mind if she owned me.�