Pitter and patter, squeak and bang, rattle and rustle went the noise that had so frightened all the toy friends who were just getting ready for a party. “What is it?” asked the Lamb on Wheels. “Is it the watchman?” the Monkey on a Stick wanted to know. He had crouched down near a toy fire engine, and he was wishing he might shower some water on a stuffed elephant near by. “Or is it some of the shoppers who have forgotten some toy they bought during the day?” asked the Candy Rabbit. And then, all of a sudden, the Sawdust Doll, looking down at the floor, cried out: “Oh, it’s a rat! It’s a great big rat! Oh! Oh-e-e-e-e-e!” and she squealed like the little Green Pig on the top shelf, only, as he was asleep just then, he didn’t do any squealing himself. “Gracious! I hope he doesn’t nibble off one of my ears,” said the Candy Rabbit, and he tried to hide behind the Calico Clown, who had managed to get back to his place on the counter. “Forward, march! Take aim! Charge bayonets,” a voice suddenly called through the dim darkness of the toy store. “Oh, it’s the Bold Tin Soldier!” cried the Sawdust Doll. “Oh, protect us! Save us from the rat!” she begged. “Of course I will!” the Tin Soldier answered. “Where is he? Let me and my men get at him!” “Here he is! Right over by the White Rocking Horse!” answered the Sawdust Doll. “Squeak! Squeak!” went the rat. “What’s all the trouble here? Can’t a fellow look for something to eat without having such a fuss made over it? What’s the matter?” “Matter enough!” exclaimed the Bold Tin Soldier, marching up with his tin men. “It’s true you are not a boy or a girl or a grown person; so we aren’t afraid to have you see us in motion. But you must get out of here!” “What for?” asked the rat, and he looked hungrily at the ears of the Candy Rabbit. The rat was very fond of sweet things. “Why must I run away?” he asked. “Because you don’t belong here,” answered the Tin Soldier. “Your place is down in the cellar near the coal bin and the furnace. This is the toy department. There is nothing to eat here, and we are going to have a party.” “How can you have a party without something to eat?” asked the rat, with a cunning look, for these creatures are very sly. “It isn’t going to be that kind of party at all,” said the Sawdust Doll. She felt rather safe up on the back of the White Rocking Horse. “We’re just going to play tag, and do things like that,” she went on. “And not going to have anything to eat!” exclaimed the rat. “Pooh! I don’t call that any kind of party at all! I’m hungry!” “Then you’d better run away!” said the Bold Tin Soldier, and he flashed his sword so daringly, and his soldiers pointed their tin guns and bayonets so sharply at the rat that, after showing his teeth once or twice, he switched his tail and ran back to the hole by which he had gnawed his way into Toy Town. “Well, I’m glad he’s gone,” said the Sawdust Doll.