his leg.

"And Joe had something the matter with his legs, too, so that's why he
had to go to the hospital," added the Donkey, as he finished his story.
"I do hope he comes back soon, for I am lonesome without him."

The toys spent a happy half hour together, and then when Mirabell and
Herbert came back into the room, having finished their bread and jam,
the Donkey, the Lamb, and the Monkey had to become quiet.

"We'll come over again, when Joe gets home," said Mirabell, as she and
Herbert left.

"And we'll get the other boys and girls and give him a toy party," added
the owner of the Monkey.

"Oh, that will be lovely!" said Mrs. Richmond.

The Nodding Donkey was put back in the closet, where he told the Noah's
Ark animals all about the visit of the Monkey and Lamb.

"I have heard of those toys," said the Elephant. "They know the Sawdust
Doll, the White Rocking Horse, the Candy Rabbit, and the Bold Tin
Soldier."

"My, what a lot of jolly toys there are!" said the Donkey. And then he
grew silent, thinking of poor little Joe in the hospital.

Joe did not have an easy time. He was very ill and in great pain, but
the kind doctors and nurses looked well after him, and his father and