Page:Poor Cecco - 1925.djvu/145

Rh, the toy-cupboard door was flung open, and in strode Poor Cecco himself, together with Bulka and a strange little person with painted boots and no frock on, whom they had never seen before. She looked very shy, and was carrying a bundle in her hand.

“Hello!” cried Poor Cecco. “How is everybody? Hello, Harlequin! Hello, Lion! Hello, Anna! This is Jensina. We’ve been all over the world and now we’re back again!” And he began kissing them all round.

“And I’ve brought some beads for Tubby!” Bulka cried, holding up his necklace for every one to see. “Nobody touch them! Where is Tubby?”

All the toys were silent; no one wanted to speak first. Only the Money-Pig was heard to snore loudly.

“Where is Tubby?” Bulka repeated. “I want to see Tubby! Why isn’t Tubby here?”

And Poor Cecco, looking about him, asked with a suden sternness: “Where is Tubby?”

The toys looked uneasily one at another, shuffling their feet, and suddenly they all burst into tears.