"Now hold on tightly, and you won't fall," said the Elephant. "If I had thought, I could have lifted you up in my trunk, as I did the Rolling Mouse. But I'll lift you down again. Sit tight now."
So the Clown sat tight, and the Elephant walked around the room with him, giving the gay fellow a fine ride. The Sawdust Doll was just making up her mind that she would be brave enough to get on the Elephant's back, when, all at once, the Nodding Donkey cried:
"Quick! Quiet every one! The children are coming back!"
"Oh, let me get off your back!" whispered the Clown to the Elephant. "They must never see me up here. It isn't allowed!"
But he was too late! Before he could slide off the Stuffed Elephant, Archie, Elsie and the other children came running into the room!
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" they cried, as they saw the Calico Clown on the back of the Stuffed Elephant.
CHAPTER V
IN THE BARN
Hearing the shouts of the children as they hurried back into the room where the Christmas tree stood, Archie's mother came to see what the matter was.