only came to look, while others, as before, bought the things they
wanted, or had them set aside for Christmas.

After a while it began to grow dark in the store, just as it had grown
dark in the workshop of Santa Claus.

"Now I will soon be able to move about and talk to the other toys,"
thought the Nodding Donkey. But this was not to be--just yet.

"Turn on the lights, Angelina," called Mr. Mugg to his daughter, and
soon the store was glowing brightly.

"Hum! It seems they work at night here, as well as by day," thought the
Nodding Donkey. "It was not so at North Pole Land. But it is very
jolly, and I like it."

During the evening, when the lights were glowing, many other customers
came in, but there were not so many boys and girls. The Nodding Donkey
had been taken down more than once and made to do his trick of shaking
his head, but, so far, no one had bought him. And though the China Cat
had also been looked at and admired, no one had bought her.

At last Mr. Mugg stretched his arms, yawned as though he might be very
sleepy, and said:

"Turn out the lights, Angelina! It is time to close the shop and go to
bed."

Soon the toy shop was in darkness, all except one light that was kept
burning all night. The place became very still and quiet, the only noise