Of course he knew nothing of
what the toys did after dark--how they made believe come to life,
talked, and had fun among themselves.
"But now I know what has happened!" Archie exclaimed. "I can tell by the
marks in the dust."
"What did happen?" asked Elsie.
"Nip has been here," went on the little boy. "I can tell his paw marks
in the dust. It wasn't my Elephant walking around, it was Nip! And Nip
has carried off my Elephant!"
"Oh, just as he did once with my old Rag Doll!" cried Elsie.
"That's it!" her brother said. "Nip has carried away my Elephant. Come
here, Nip! Where are you?" called Archie.
Now Nip was always ready to come when Archie called, for he and the
little boy had many good times together, romping and playing tag in the
yard. So, when he heard his name called, Nip came running into the barn
to where Elsie and Archie were standing.
"Nip!" sternly said Archie, as he shook his finger at his big dog, "did
you take my Elephant? Did you carry him away?"
Now Nip understood a great deal that was said to him. He knew when he
was being scolded for having done wrong, and he knew he was being
scolded now. He also knew that he had taken away the Elephant.
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