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“All right,” agreed the new toy.

Up climbed the Jumping Jack until he stood on the very highest shelf of the store–the shelf where all the extra drums were kept out of the way.

“It makes me dizzy to look at him,” said the Talking Doll, and she covered her eyes with her hand.

“Yes, suppose he should fall,” said the China Cat. “But he must show off, I suppose. I’d rather have less exciting fun–such as a game of tag.”

“Hush!” begged the Trumpeter. “He is ready to jump, I think. Hello there, Jack!” he called to the toy on the top shelf. “Are you ready?”

“All ready!” was the answer. “Blow your trumpet, and I’ll jump!”

The Trumpeter raised his golden horn to his lips.

Toot! Toot! Tootity-toot-toot! came the blast.

“Here I come!” shouted the Jumping Jack.

“Oh, dear! Tell me when it is all over!” begged the Talking Doll, putting both her hands over her eyes.

Down, down, down, came the Jumping Jack, past shelf after shelf of toys, until he landed with a bounce on a rubber ball on the very lowest shelf, where the Cat and the Doll stood.

Up in the air bounced the Jack again, for the ball was like the springs of a bed. Then he came down upon the ball a second time and bounced up once more, and this time he came down on the shelf.

“Ouch! Mew! Mew!” cried the China Cat.

“What’s the matter? Did the Jumping Jack fall and break his leg like the Nodding Donkey?” asked the Talking Doll. “Oh, I dare not look! Tell me about it!”

“Of course he didn’t break his leg!” said the Cat. “But he stepped on my tail; that’s what he did! Right on my tail! I hope it isn’t broken,” she went on, as she looked carefully at the tip.

“Oh, I beg your pardon! I am so sorry!” exclaimed the Jumping Jack. “I didn’t mean to do that. The ball rolled, and I slipped.”

“Well, there is no great harm done, I am glad to say,” said the China Cat, again carefully looking at the tip of her tail. “But if you had landed a little harder you would have broken it, and then I should be a damaged toy, and Mr. Mugg would have had to sell me for half price.”

“But didn’t I do a good jump?” asked the Jack of the Trumpeter.

“One of the finest I ever saw,” was the answer. “But suppose we play something more quiet.”

“Let’s have a dance!” proposed the Talking Doll. “The Trumpeter can play for us. I love to dance!”

The China Cat gazed out of the window toward the house next door, and what was her great surprise to see in the front window there an old friend.

“Well, I do declare!” mewed the China Cat to herself. “How did he get here? Oh, if I could only speak to him! See, he is bowing to me! Oh, isn’t this just wonderful!”

CHAPTER X

THE GLARING EYES

Snowball, the China Cat, was so excited that she felt she must really jump out of the window and go across the yard to her old friend, when Jennie, the little girl, came back into the room. Of course the China Cat had to be very still and quiet then.

“Oh, Joe has his Nodding Donkey in the window!” exclaimed Jennie. “That’s a sign he wants me to come over and play with him. I’ll go and ask Aunt Clara if I may go!”

Out of the room sped Jennie again, and the China Cat, who had heard what the little girl said, mewed to herself:

“At last I shall have a chance to see the Nodding Donkey again.” For it was this old friend at whom the China Cat had looked through the window, watching him nod his head.

“Yes, Jennie. What is it?” asked Aunt Clara, as the little girl called to her.

“Please may I go over and see Joe?” begged Jennie. “He has set his Nodding Donkey in his front window, and that means he wants me to come over. He always does that when he wants me. I’ll take my new China Cat over to see him.”