That left nothing to hold me back, and away I
rolled."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said the Tin Soldier, touching his red cap in a salute
to Miss Mouse.
"I'll forgive you, as I know you didn't mean to do it," said the Mouse
toy, with a smile that made her whiskers wiggle. "But I do wish you'd
put me down, Mr. Elephant. I am nervous up on your back, broad and big
as it is."
"All right, Miss Rolling Mouse, I'll lift you down," trumpeted the
Elephant. "And here you are at your own place on the shelf."
The big toy, stuffed as he was with cotton, reached back with his trunk,
gently picked up the mouse in it, and set her down where she had started
to roll from. As she had said, the wheels no longer whizzed around, as
the spring which made them move had all uncoiled. It had "run down," as
it is called.
"There you are!" went on the Elephant, after he had gently put down the
Mouse toy. "Any time you are afraid of falling off the shelf, just call
for me and I'll save you with my trunk."
"You are very kind," said the Mouse. "And so big and strong!"
"Isn't he big, though!" giggled the Sawdust Doll. "I wonder if he is
strong enough to give me a ride on his back?"
"Of course he is!" brayed the Nodding Donkey.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25