being made by a little mouse, who came out to get some crumbs dropped by
Mr. Mugg, who had eaten his lunch in the store.

"Ahem!" suddenly said the Nodding Donkey. "Do you mind if I speak to
you?" he asked the China Cat, who stood near him on the shelf.

"Not at all," was the kind answer. "I was just going to ask how you came
here."

"I came direct from the workshop of Santa Claus at the North Pole,"
answered the Nodding Donkey. "And I suppose, just as we toys could do
there, that we are allowed to move about and talk while here."

"Oh, yes," answered the China Cat. "We can make believe we are alive as
long as no one sees us. But tell me, how is everything at the North
Pole? It is some time since I was there, as I was made early in the
season."

"Well, Santa Claus is as happy and jolly as ever," said the Nodding
Donkey, "and his men are just as busy. We had a dreadful accident
though, coming down to Earth!"

"You did?" mewed the China Cat. "Tell me about it," and she moved her
tail from one side to the other.

Before the Nodding Donkey could speak in answer to this request, a voice
suddenly asked:

"I say, Nodding Donkey, do you kick?"