Wooden Soldiers had been watching with amazement and horror the journey
of the Commanding-officer; understanding as they did for the first time
the strength of the great beast and afraid to interfere.

Having placed his humble foe in his old position, only upon his back
instead of upon his feet, the Elephant with his trunk deliberately
knocked over all the Soldiers one after the other. Then he grunted and
walked slowly away.

So ended the reign of terror which the Officer and his Soldiers had
established over the toy-shop. And so universal was the relief
experienced after the strain that had been felt, that the Elephant was
everywhere hailed as a Friend to the Public. Indeed, during the
remainder of his stay in the shop, he was treated with greater respect
and deference than any other toy,--Father Christmas only excepted,--and
when he left at Christmas-time, the regret expressed was both loud and
sincere.

CHAPTER V

"I am a little bit sorry for the Officer," said the little girl. "He
must have been a good deal hurt. And he must have felt very silly, too,"
she added.

"Almost worse than being hurt, isn't it?" said the little Marionette.
"Yes, I was a little sorry for him myself; but I think he deserved all
he got."

"Yes; because he _was_ a horrid bully, wasn't he?" said the little girl.
"And his men, too, were as bad as he. I always used to like
toy-soldiers. I never shall again."

"I should not like you to judge of all soldiers by the wooden ones I
have told you of," said the Marionette. "We _have_ had in the shop sets
of wooden and tin soldiers of the highest character; gallant fellows,
beloved and esteemed by all. I will tell you of them to-morrow if you
like."

The little girl considered a moment.

"I think," she said at length, "I would rather hear something quite
different for a change. If you do not mind," she added politely.

"Not in the least," replied the little lady. "I shall think of a story
that shall have nothing to do with soldiers, good, bad, or indifferent."

So on the morrow when they met again the Marionette said:

"I have thought of quite a different sort of story to the one I told you
yesterday."

"Thank you," said her little friend. "Please begin."

"Yes," she said as the little Marionette remained silent.
"Yes--yes--_do_ begin!"

"Patience, patience! I am just considering for a moment if I have the
story correct in every respect. It is now some time since it happened,