for me to eat. I am eating one now. Will you
have a nibble?" and the squirrel held out the nut to the Nodding Donkey.

"No, thank you; I don't eat nuts," returned the new toy.

"I eat other things, too," went on the Squirrel. "I take them right out
of the lame boy's hand, and I never nip him, for I like him and he likes
me. I am sorry he is lame."

"So am I," said the Nodding Donkey. "I felt sorry for him when he looked
in the store window of Mr. Mugg's shop, and I nodded to him so that he
smiled. But hush! Here he comes now!"

And this time it was the lame boy and his mother coming back into the
room where the Nodding Donkey and the Noah's Ark toys had been left on
the table. Instantly each toy became stark and stiff and no longer moved
or spoke. But the Chattering Squirrel, not being a toy, could do as he
pleased. So he frisked his tail and nibbled the nut.

"Oh, Mother! See! There is Frisky, my tame Squirrel!" cried Joe. "He
must have come in through the window to see my Nodding Donkey. Hello,
Frisky!" cried the lame boy, and then when he put down his hand the
Chattering Squirrel scrambled across the table and let Joe rub his soft
fur.

"I guess he is looking for something to eat," said Mrs. Richmond, with a
smile. "He wants his supper, as you want yours, Joe, and as your father
will, as soon as he gets home. You had better put away your toys
now--your Nodding Donkey and the Noah's Ark animals--and get ready for
supper. I think there are a few more nuts left which you may give
Frisky."

"Oh, he'll love those, Mother!" cried Joe. And when he had put away his
toys he brought out some more nuts for the Squirrel, who liked them very
much.

The Nodding Donkey was put up on the mantel shelf in the dining room,
but the Noah's Ark toys, being older, were set aside in a closet.

"I want Daddy to see my Donkey as soon as he comes in," said Joe, and he
waited for his father. Soon Mr. Richmond's step was heard in the hall,
and Joe hobbled on his crutches to meet him. Frisky, the Chattering
Squirrel, had skipped out of the open window in the kitchen as soon as
he had eaten the nuts Joe gave him.

"How is my boy to-night?" asked Mr. Richmond, as he hugged Joe.

"Oh, I'm fine!" was the answer. "And look what Mother bought me!"

Joe pointed to the Nodding Donkey on the mantel.

"Well, he is a fine fellow!" exclaimed Mr. Richmond. "Where did he come
from?"

"From the toy shop," Joe answered, and then, even though su