"At least we shall have a chance to talk over old times for a little
while," said the China Cat. "I came near being sold yesterday. A lady
was going to buy me for her baby to cut his teeth on. Just fancy!"

"I don't believe you would have liked that," said the Donkey.

"No, indeed!" mewed the China Cat. Then she and the Donkey and the other
toys talked for some hours, and told stories. On account of his paint
not being dry the Donkey did not walk around, jump or kick as he had
used to do.

In the morning the toys had to stop their fun-making, for Mr. Mugg and
his daughters came to open the store for the day. And in the afternoon
Mr. Richmond called to get the mended toy.

And you can imagine how glad Joe was to get his Donkey back again.

"I'll never let Frisky break any more of your legs," said Joe, as he
hugged the Donkey to him. "I'll take you to bed with me to-night."

But though Joe was allowed to take his Donkey to bed with him, it was
thought best not to send the toy to the hospital with the little boy,
when he went early the next week.

"Good-by, Nodding Donkey!" called Joe to his toy, as he was driven away;
and when Mrs. Richmond put the mended Donkey away on the closet shelf,
there were tears in her eyes.

The Nodding Donkey knew that something was wrong, but he did not
understand all that was happening. He had seen Joe taken away, and he