“Surely that ought to scare them away,� bleated the Lamb on Wheels.
“If it doesn’t, I’ll just gallop toward them,� said the White Rocking Horse. “That will make them run!�
So the Bold Tin Soldier and the Calico Clown climbed down off the toy counter and walked slowly, and a little stiffly, over the floor toward the elevators. The one light shone dimly, and by its rays they could see that no one was in the store—not even the watchman. He was down on the first floor, near the perfumery counter. He loved the smell of perfumery, did that watchman.
“No one is here!� said the Bold Tin Soldier, as he came marching back with the Calico Clown.
“Not a soul to watch us? That’s fine!� shouted the Monkey on a Stick. “Now I’m going to have some fun!� and he began to run up and down so quickly that the Sawdust Doll cried:
“Oh, please, Monkey! Not so fast, if you please! You make me dizzy!�
“All right! I’ll go more slowly,� kindly offered the Monkey. “But when you’ve had to keep still all day, because so many boys and girls are watching you, when they’re not picking you up and punching you to see what you’re made of—I say when you’ve been that way all day, you want to go fast when you get the chance.�
“I suppose so,� agreed the White Rocking Horse. “I feel like kicking my heels, too.�
“Well, just wait a moment, if you please,� put in the Bold Tin Soldier. “I want to march some of my men out into the middle of the floor and have a little parade. After I get them past you, why, then you may kick up your heels as much as you please.�
“All right,� whinnied the White Horse. “March away! I’m glad to do a favor.�