THE CHRISTMAS TREE 157 



the wooden soldier stiffly, *'for where there is 

 a tub, there must be water." 



''1 fear you would run aground in me," said 

 the tub. 



*'That was a dry remark," observed the 

 book. 



*'We have forgotten our good resolution," 

 said the doll. 



''All in favor of it say 'Aye,' " called a 

 needle in the work-basket. 



"And all opposed say 'Nay,' " whinnied the 

 hobby-horse. 



"I appoint the wooden soldier sergeant-at- 

 arms to keep order," said the doll. "You must 

 stop your cutting up." 



"I'm not," snapped the scissors. 



*'I hear them talking upstairs," warned the 

 wooden soldier, sentried by the door, "and 

 Father is coming downstairs to put the cat 

 out." 



"Hurry back to your places!" cried the 

 doll; while the wooden soldier hastily pre- 

 sented arms to help her off the desk. 



What a whisking and scurrying there was. 



