the China Cat and some of my other friends. But I want to come back to
Joe. I like him, and I like it here. Besides, I am near the Calico Clown
and the Bold Tin Soldier. Yes, I shall want to come back when my leg is
mended."

Mr. Richmond, still leaving on the Donkey's leg the rag Mrs. Richmond
had wound around it, put the toy back on the shelf. Then he carried Joe
up to bed.

"When will the doctors operate on our boy, to make him better?" asked
Mrs. Richmond of her husband, when Joe was asleep.

"In about a week," was his answer. "I stopped at the hospital to-day,
and made all the plans. Joe is to go there a week from to-day."

"Will his Nodding Donkey be mended by that time?" asked Mrs. Richmond.
"I think Joe would like to take it to the hospital with him."

"I'll try to get Mr. Mugg to finish it so Joe may have it," said Mr.
Richmond. "Poor boy! He has had a hard time in life, but if this
operation is a success he will be much happier."

All night long the Nodding Donkey lay on the shelf, his broken leg
wrapped in the cloth. He did not nod now, for, lying down as he was, his
head could not shake and wabble. Besides, the toy felt too sad and was
in too much pain to nod, even if he had stood on his feet. But of course
he couldn't stand up with a broken leg. Indeed not!

In the closet, where they were kept, the animals from Noah's Ark talked
among themselves that night.