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“Who are you?” asked the Elephant.

“The Wheelbarrow,” was the reply. “You ought to see the loads I carry. I ought to get the prize!”

“What about me?” asked a third voice.

“Who are you?” asked the Elephant.

“The Lawn Mower. Just think what an ugly place this estate would be unless I kept the grass trim and neat. It should be my prize.”

“Oh, my goodness!” exclaimed the poor Elephant. “If there are to be more disputes, and more evidence in this case, I shall go mad. Stop!” he cried, as the Wheelbarrow, the Hoe, and the Lawn Mower came forward, all talking at once. “Stop! I will do nothing until I see the prize! Court is adjourned!”

And as the Elephant said this the sound of loud barking sounded through the barn.

“Oh, maybe that is Nip coming to carry me back,” thought the Elephant. “I certainly hope so!”

CHAPTER IX

OUT IN THE RAIN

You remember that Nip, the big dog, had carried away the Stuffed Elephant when Archie set his Christmas toy down on the barn floor for a moment. And, coming back, after having gone to look for the nest of a cackling hen, Archie did not find his Elephant awaiting him as he expected to.

“Oh, Elsie!” exclaimed the little boy. “Didn’t I leave my Elephant right here?” and he pointed to the place where he had set it.

“Why, yes, I think you did,” Elsie answered. “I saw you put it there. I was going to leave my Doll there, too, but she isn’t feeling very well, and has a little cold, so I carried her in my arms. I have her here now,” she added, as she held up her Christmas toy.

“Well, my Elephant is gone!” exclaimed Archie. “And I know I left it here! Yes, you can see where his feet stood,” he added, as he pointed to some marks in the dust of the barn floor.

Elsie, holding her Doll, stooped down beside her brother and looked at the dust.

“There are lots of marks,” said the little girl. “Your Elephant must have been walking around. Oh, Archie!” she cried, with shining eyes, “maybe he came to life and walked away!”

“Nope! He couldn’t do that!” Archie said. Of course he knew nothing of what the toys did after dark–how they made believe come to life, talked, and had fun among themselves.

“But now I know what has happened!” Archie exclaimed. “I can tell by the marks in the dust.”

“What did happen?” asked Elsie.

“Nip has been here,” went on the little boy. “I can tell his paw marks in the dust. It wasn’t my Elephant walking around, it was Nip! And Nip has carried off my Elephant!”

“Oh, just as he did once with my old Rag Doll!” cried Elsie.

“That’s it!” her brother said. “Nip has carried away my Elephant. Come here, Nip! Where are you?” called Archie.

Now Nip was always ready to come when Archie called, for he and the little boy had many good times together, romping and playing tag in the yard. So, when he heard his name called, Nip came running into the barn to where Elsie and Archie were standing.

“Nip!” sternly said Archie, as he shook his finger at his big dog, “did you take my Elephant? Did you carry him away?”

Now Nip understood a great deal that was said to him. He knew when he was being scolded for having done wrong, and he knew he was being scolded now. He also knew that he had taken away the Elephant. So, when Archie talked this way, Nip hung his head and put his tail between his legs.

“Nip!” went on Archie, “where is my Stuffed Elephant? Go get it! Bring back my Elephant! Go on, Nip!”

Nip gave a little bark. He sprang up, barked again, louder than before, and off he ran to a dim and distant part of the barn.

“Is he going after your Elephant?” asked Elsie.