“Hello!� answered the Sawdust Doll politely. “But I can’t see any one,� she added.
“And no wonder! My spring is broken, and I can’t put my head out to see you, either,� the voice went on. “But I can look at you through a crack.�
“A crack in what?� asked the Sawdust Doll.
“A crack in my box,� was the reply.
“Well, go on,� said the Sawdust Doll, after a moment of silence.
“I’m Jack-in-the-Box,� the voice continued. “I used to live in a toy store, and I was bought last Christmas for the boy who lives in this house. But after he had played with me awhile, watching me jump out of my box every time the lid was lifted, my spring broke. I couldn’t jump any more then, and the boy grew tired of me. So I was put away on this shelf. Goodness, how lonesome I’ve been! I’m glad you came to keep me company. How long are you going to stay?�
“I don’t know,� answered the Sawdust Doll.
“I hope your spring isn’t broken, and that you are not put here because you aren’t of any more use as a toy,� said Jack-in-the-Box.
“No, I haven’t any springs,� answered the Doll. “I’m full of sawdust.�
“That’s better than having a spring inside you,� said Jack. “You can’t break sawdust.�