Besides the six children mentioned there were others who lived on the same street with these six friends.  These children had all come to the show.  The boys and girls brought two pins to get in.  Those who brought toy animals to act in the show did not have to bring any pins to come in.

“The first act in the show!” called Herbert, who was the ringmaster, “will be Mr. Dick riding on his White Rocking Horse!  Ladies and Gentlemen, see Mr. Dick!”

“Hurray!  Hurray!  Hurray!” cried the children, clapping their hands.

Dick drew his horse out into the middle of the tent.  Of course if the Rocking Horse had been there alone he could have trotted out by himself.  But, as it was, Dick had to drag him.

Then Dick climbed on the back of his white steed, took hold of the reins, and cried:  “Gid-dap!”

Back and forth rocked Dick on his Horse, and, as I have told you in the book about this toy, the Horse could move along whenever any one was on his back.  He moved just as a rocking chair moves.

Across the middle of the tent rode Dick on his Rocking Horse.  The little chap pretended he was a cowboy, and swung his cap around his head, and he even made believe lasso wild bulls with a piece of clothesline.

“Bang!  Bang!” cried Dick, shooting make-believe pistols the way real cowboys do.

“Hurray!  Hurray!  Hurray!” cried all the children, for they liked to see Dick ride the White Rocking Horse.

“What’s next, Herbert?” asked Madeline.

“Hush, you mustn’t talk in the show,” cautioned her brother.  “The ringmaster is the only one who can talk, and I’m him.  The next part of the show is the dance of the Sawdust Doll.”

This was Dorothy’s chance, and she came out with her toy.  And then and there the Sawdust Doll did a funny little dance while Mirabell played on a mouth organ.  Of course Dorothy had to hold the Doll and dance around with her, but it was as good as if the Doll had done it herself, and the boys and girls clapped their hands.

“Isn’t this a wonderful show?” whispered the Sawdust Doll to the Monkey, when she had a chance, as the children crowded down to one end of the tent to get some cookies Herbert’s mother brought out to them.

“Yes, you did your part very well,” whispered back the Monkey.  “Do you think I shall get a chance to do any of my tricks?”

“Oh, yes,” answered the Doll.  “I’m sure you’re going to be the best part of the show.”

When the cookies were eaten, Herbert again took the part of ringmaster.

“The next thing in the show will be a fight with the Tin Soldiers,” said Herbert.  “Mr. Dick will take half of them and Mr. Arnold will take the other half, and there will be a battle right here in the tent.”

Dick and Arnold divided the Tin Soldiers between them, and set them in two armies on one of the big box tops.  Then the tin fighters were moved backward and forward, just as in real battle.