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Updated: June 27, 2025
In Uncle Roger's barn the Toyman unhitched him, and gave him some hay and some oats too, for it was a grand holiday. Then hand-in-hand the Toyman and the three happy children hurried over to Main Street. So many people were crowded on the sidewalk that the children could hardly see. But Jehosophat ducked under the stomachs of two big fat men and sat on the curb-stone.
Across the road a big jack-rabbit jumped jumped sping sping sping like a toy animal made of steel springs. Wienerwurst ran after the rabbit, but his master didn't stop to chase Jack. He was afraid if he wasted any time he would never catch up with the Toyman. At last the ribbon road reached the top of the hill and wound along it a little way before it started twisting down the other side.
"Let's go fishin' I hate speeches," the Toyman replied. "I made a silly, a fool of myself, didn't I?" said Jehosophat. "Not by a long sight," the Toyman replied. "You see, sonny," he went on to explain, very soberly, "that's an old piece of yours and out of date. Now they're making new arrangements and editions of books and po'try all the time. They just change with the times.
"All right, I'll do that," said Jehosophat, but the Toyman stopped him. "Hold on there, Sonny, that's the ladies' job." Then he called Hepzebiah and gave her the bottle. "Now, little girl, you stand here and say: 'I christen thee White Swan." But, "I ckwithen Wite Thwan" was the best she could do. "Now drop the bottle!"
Settin' on the top of the world and enjoyin' yourself?" "I was wondering what those men over there were doing." And the boy waved his hand towards the little black figures on the hill. "Why, that's the hunt," explained the Toyman. "The rich folks, having nothing better to do, are killin' time." Marmaduke was puzzled. "Are they really hunting Time?" he asked.
They didn't really need to ask that question, for hadn't the Toyman been most everywhere, and hadn't he told them many a story about the great sea and the ships? "Yes, they all said I would drown or become a wicked bad man." Marmaduke thought he would like to do something to those step-uncles and aunts who treated the Toyman so badly. "They don't know what they're talking about," he shouted.
"No, I wouldn't either " Marmaduke seemed very sure about this "'cause," he started to explain. "'Cause what?" "'Cause the Toyman is as good as ole Noah any day," replied the little boy. "He could build an ark as big as a house, as big as the Church, an' the ducks'd get on an' the cows an' the horses an' " "Yes," interrupted his brother, "but don't you remember there were only two of each kind.
Then they looked in the hole-but no Reddy! Meanwhile the Toyman had gone into the barn. "Come here!" he shouted. So they ran in, and there, in the corner, hidden under the hay was Reddy, all muddy from the brook and torn from the briars. His eyes looked very bright, but they looked pitiful too. The Toyman put out his hand and stroked his fur.
Strange talk it was, to be sure, and the neighbors would never have understood it. Still, folks never understood the Toyman and his language anyway, but they did, and Marmaduke called, "Come 'n, Toyman," when Captain Kidd corrected him. "Pshaw! That's not the way to say it. You just listen to me." Then he raised his hands to his mouth like a trumpet and called,
Cricket next, for it wouldn't be Christmas unless they made someone outside their own family happy; then Jehosophat, Marmaduke, and Hepzebiah no, that is wrong, Hepzebiah ahead, as the boys had decided on "ladies first"; then Father and the Toyman, carrying little lame Johnny Cricket on his shoulder; and Black-eyed Susan bringing up the rear a very big rear she was, Father said, for Susan weighed considerably more than her heaviest clothes-basket.
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