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“Dick and Dorothy are asleep now,” said the lady. “We can take the Rocking Horse down, and leave him for Santa Claus to put under the big Christmas tree.”

“Yes, we can do that,” the man said. “And here is an old Jumping Jack. It is broken, but the paint on it is still gay. I’ll dust it off and take it down for the Christmas tree. It will make it look more jolly.” And to his own great surprise the Jack was taken down with the White Rocking Horse.

As for the Rocking Horse, so many things happened at once that he hardly knew where one began and the other left off. He saw some gleaming lights and red, blue, green and golden-yellow balls that seemed brighter than the sun. He saw a big, green tree. He saw many toys scattered under it. And one, in particular, made him open his eyes in wonder.

For there, sitting on the carpet near him, was the Sawdust Doll! The very-same Sawdust Doll who had lived in the toy store with him!

CHAPTER V

A NIGHT RIDE

The White Rocking Horse wanted to gallop across the room and back, because he felt so happy at seeing the Sawdust Doll again. As for the Sawdust Doll, she wanted to stand up and clap her hands, as the Calico Clown used to clap his cymbals together. But neither of the toys dared do anything, because, in the same room with them, were the father and mother of Dick and Dorothy. And the toys, as I told you, never moved or spoke when any one was near them.

“The old Jumping Jack looks well on the Christmas tree,” said the lady, as she smoothed out the dress of the Sawdust Doll.

“Yes, I’m glad we brought him down out of the attic, poor fellow,” replied the man, as he rocked the Horse slowly to and fro, to make sure he was in a good place. “I wonder if these toys ever know or care what joy they give to the children?” he asked.

“Oh, I think they do,” said Dorothy’s mother. “Do you know,” she went on with a little laugh, “sometimes I think the toys are really alive, and can talk among themselves, and do things.”

“What nonsense!” laughed the man. “Do you think this Rocking Horse can come to life?” and he patted our toy friend.

“Well, maybe not exactly come to life,” answered his wife. “But I am sure they must have good times when we aren’t looking. See that Sawdust Doll! Why, I really think she is looking at the Rocking Horse as if she knew him! And you know they did come from the same store.”

“Well, I think everything is ready now for Santa Claus,” said the man. “We will leave the rest of the tree to him. It will soon be Christmas morning. Let us go out and leave the toys to themselves. Perhaps they will really have a good time, as you think.”

“I am sure they will,” the lady said, laughing softly.

Then the door was shut and of course you can guess what happened when no human eyes were there to watch the White Rocking Horse and Sawdust Doll.

The Doll was the first to speak.

“Oh, how glad I am to see you!” she said, as she stood up on her sawdust-stuffed legs and looked at the Horse high above her head. “You can’t imagine how glad I am!”

“And I am glad to see you,” neighed the Horse. “I never dreamed I should be brought to the house where you were. Tell me, are you to be a Christmas present, too?”

“No, I was bought for Dorothy’s birthday,” was the answer. “Don’t you remember? I left the store some weeks ago. But Dorothy wanted me put under the Christmas tree with the other presents Santa Claus is to bring to her and Dick. But you are a Christmas present, I know.”