“Her brother was a jolly chap, too,� said the White Rocking Horse. “He jumped on my back and had a ride, but he was very gentle with me. If I go to anybody, I hope I go to him.�
“Yes, you two seem to be going to have nice homes,� said the Candy Rabbit. “I hope I find as good a place.�
“So do I,� said the Calico Clown. “Well, all I want is to make some one jolly! That’s the life for me! Whoop de-doodle-do!� and he banged his cymbals and shouted, as he could do, for there were no boys or girls or grown folks there to watch.
“What was that joke you were going to tell us about an ear of corn?� asked the Sawdust Doll. “May we not hear it now? Let’s be jolly again! Let’s have another party! Soon we may part, perhaps never to meet again,� and she spoke rather sadly.
“Oh, don’t say that!� begged the Tin Soldier, as he polished his sword on his sleeve. “Don’t say that!� and he looked at the Sawdust Doll.
“Ha! Ha! Ha!� laughed the Calico Clown. “Here’s a joke! How does the lima bean succotash know when it’s time for dinner?�
“Pooh! I don’t call that a joke,� said the White Rocking Horse. “How can succotash know when it’s time for dinner?�
“Because it hears the bell with the ear of corn!� laughed the clown. “That’s the time I fooled you! Well, now let’s have another party!� he went on, jumping down from his shelf and pulling the tail of the Monkey on a Stick.
“I hope the old rat doesn’t come again,� said the Sawdust Doll.
The toys were having grand fun again, and the Bold Tin Soldier was helping the Candy Rabbit up on the back of the White Rocking Horse for a ride, when, all of a sudden, the door of the toy department opened and a big man came in.