"And now we had all better get quiet," said the Monkey on a Stick. "I
can see the sun peeping up in the east. Daylight is coming, and we
dare no longer move about and talk. We have had some fun, but now we
must get ready to be looked at by the shoppers. Quiet, everybody!"

And, as he spoke, the light suddenly grew stronger in the toy
department, the clerks presently began coming in, and soon, when the
sun was a little higher in the sky, the shoppers began arriving.

The White Rocking Horse, proud and stiff, stood near the counter. How
his red saddle, of real leather, glistened in the light! How fluffy
were his mane and tail!

Suddenly there came marching down the aisle of the store a boy whose
feet made a great deal of noise, and who had a loud voice.

"Here's the Rocking Horse I want!" he cried. "I'm going to have this
one!" And in an instant he had leaped on the back of the White Horse,
banging his heels on the painted sides and yanking on the leather
reins.

"Gid-dap! Gid-dap!" cried the rude boy, and he began kicking the White
Rocking Horse in the ribs.




CHAPTER III