"Kick? Of course not," the Nodding Donkey answered. "Why do you ask such
a question? Who are you, anyhow?" and he looked all around.

"Hush! Don't get him started," whispered the China Cat. "It's the
Policeman with his club, and if he begins to tickle you he'll never
stop. Oh, here he comes now! Here comes the Policeman!"




CHAPTER V

THE LAME BOY


When the China Cat said: "Here comes the Policeman!" the Nodding Donkey,
who did not know just what a policeman was, was quite curious to see who
was coming. So he walked to the edge of the shelf and bent his head as
far down as he could in order to see.

"Be careful! You might fall!" mewed the China Cat.

"Ha! If he falls, then I'll pick him up! That's what I'm here for, to
help in case of accident. I could ring for the ambulance!" suddenly came
in the same voice that had asked if the Nodding Donkey kicked.

"On second thought perhaps it will be just as well to have an accident.
It will give us something to talk about," the voice went on. "Go ahead,
Nodding Donkey. Fall off the shelf. I'll pick you up and send you to the
toy hospital in the toy ambulance with the clanging bell."