III

Now, as Squeaky tried to run down the tree, he fell heels over head.  Down, down, down, he fell until he was caught in a funny box.  An ugly man with black hair and black whiskers seemed to be hopping out of the box.

When Squeaky saw the lights turned on, he hid under the dress of this queer man.  He lay very, very still, for he had been taught to be still when danger was near.  He heard voices.  The father and mother had come back.

“Yes,” the father was saying; “it would have been a shame to forget this train.  I would like it to come right out from under the tree.  Help me put the track down, mother.”

When the train was just where it should be, the mother turned to the beautiful tree.

“Why, look at that Jack-in-the-box,” she said.  “The man is hanging out.  That will never do.  I will shut the box.  Teddy must see the man jump out.”

The mother pushed the man with the black hair down, down, into the box and shut the lid.  Poor Squeaky felt the springs close down on him and squeaked, “Ee-ee-”

“That was a fine squeak,” said the father.  “The toys are wonderful these days.”

“Yes,” said the mother, as she turned off the light.  “When I was a child, we did not have such toys.”

“I am in a trap,” said poor Squeaky, “but there isn’t even a bit of cheese in it.  I wonder what kind of trap it is; nothing seems to hurt me.  Well, I am safe for a while, and I hope I shall soon get out.”

Squeaky lay in the box all night, and wondered what Sniffy and Sharpeyes were doing.  The next morning, he heard children calling, “Merry Christmas!  Merry Christmas!” And soon the toys were taken down, one by one.  Then such a noise was heard—­drums beating, horns tooting, children shouting.  You should have heard it.

[Illustration:  The mother is surprised as Squeaky escapes]

“See our new doll’s house!” cried one child.

“See my new train!  How fast it goes!” cried another.

“And see my beautiful dolly!” cried another.  “She can open and shut her eyes.”

By and by the mother took the box from the tree.  “Come here, Teddy,” she said.  “Here is a scare box.  We will have some fun.  Watch me open the lid.”

Teddy stood by his mother and watched closely.

“Are you ready?” asked his mother.  “Well, let us count.  One, two, three!”

The lid flew open, and out jumped the man with the black hair and black whiskers.  And with a squeak of joy, out jumped the mouse.

“Ee-ee-ee!” he cried, as he ran away.

“Ee!” said the Jack-in-the-box.

“Whee-ee-ee!” cried the boy with delight.

“Oh,—­a mouse! a mouse!” cried the mother.  Then she threw the box on the floor and jumped up on her chair.

“Where? where?” cried all the children.

But they saw only the tip of Squeaky’s tail as he ran across the hall to the pantry.  Another moment and he was safe in the hole in the pantry wall.