LITMIR.BIZ

      THE GIFTS

      One can just imagine how the children stood and stared, quite silently, and how after some little time Marie, with a deep sigh, called, “Oh how beautiful,—how beautiful,” and Fritz turned several somersaults successfully. The children must have been very good and obedient throughout the year, for never before had they received such superb presents.

      The large Christmas tree in the center was laden with gold and silver apples, and like birds and blossoms, sugar almonds and bright bonbons and other pretty cakes came forth from the branches. The most wonderful thing about the tree, however, was the hundreds of lights that sparkled like stars, and the tree seemed to invite them in a most friendly fashion to come and pluck its buds and fruits. Around the tree everything shone in bright and superb colors.

      What beautiful things there were—yes, almost impossible to describe. Marie at once noticed the neatest, daintiest dolls and all kinds of little utensils. A silk dress, trimmed with colorful ribbons, was hanging on a rack so that Marie could look at it from all sides, and this she did, and kept calling, “Oh the beautiful, dear dress! And shall I really be allowed to wear it?”

      In the meantime Fritz; had galloped three or four times around the table on his new chestnut horse, which he had really found hitched to the table. Dismounting, he announced that it was a wild horse but he would soon tame him. Then he noticed his new squadron of hussars which were very splendidly dressed in red and gold uniforms, carried silver weapons, and rode on such shimmering white horses that one could almost believe they too were of silver.

      Just as the children had quieted down a little, they espied open picture books and were looking at them when the bell rang again. They now knew that Godfather Drosselmeier would present his gifts, and hurried to the table near the wall. The screen behind which he had been hiding such a long time was quickly removed. And what may we suppose they saw?

      On a green lawn with many bright flowers stood a large castle that had mirror windows and gold towers. A chime of bells could be heard ringing. Doors and windows flew open and they saw tiny men and women richly adorned with plumed hats and long trained robes promenading in the rooms. The central hall almost seemed to be in flames, because so many little lights were burning in silver candelabra. Little children in short waistcoats and skirts were dancing, keeping time with the chimes. A gentleman in an emerald green cloak beckoned from one of the windows and then disappeared again, and yes, even Godfather Drosselmeier, no higher than father’s thumb, would appear at the door of the castle and then go back into it again.

      Fritz, with his arms resting on the table, had been looking at the castle and the dancing and promenading little figures, when he called, “Godfather Drosselmeier, let me go into your castle.”

      The judge explained to him that this was impossible. He was right, for it was stupid of Fritz to think he could go into a castle which even with its gold towers was so much smaller than himself. Of course Fritz could understand this, but after a while, when in the same manner the ladies and gentlemen promenaded, the children danced, the green-cloaked man appeared at the window, and Godfather Drosselmeier came to the door over and over again, Fritz; called impatiently, “Godfather Drosselmeier, now you must come out of the other door.”

      THE CASTLE.

      “That cannot be done,” the Judge replied.

      “Well, then make the green man who looks out of the window walk with the others.”

      “No, that cannot be brought about either,” replied the judge.

      “Well,” cried Fritz, “then let the children come out, so I can examine them better.”

      The judge became vexed, and replied impatiently, “As the mechanism is made, so it must remain.”

      “Well,” said Fritz; in a subdued tone, “then I prefer my hussars. They can be made to maneuver forward and backward the way I want them to and are not locked up in a house.” Then he ran to the other table and had his squadron on the silver horses march back and forth and perform to his heart’s content.

      Marie also had slipped away, for she too, had tired of seeing the dolls in the castle always doing the same thing, but being more polite than Fritz she did not wish any one to notice it. The judge had become cheerful again and gave the children some handsome brown men and women, with gold faces, hands and legs. These smelled sweet and delicious like honey cakes, which was a pleasant surprise.