THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 37

about to follow her husband to their bed-chamber, . desired
her to tear herself away from the dearly-beloved cupboard,
little Mary said, ‘‘ Only one moment, dear mamma—a single
-, moment:. do: let: me
finish all I have todo
here. . There are:a hun-
dred or more important
things to put to rights;
and the moment .I have
settled them, I promise
to go to bed.”
Mary requested. this
favour in so touching
“and plaintive a tone,
—she was, moreover,
so glad and obedient a
child hae her mother
did not hesitate to grant her request... Nevertheless, as- Miss
Trudchen had already gone-up stairs to get Mary’s bed ready,
the judge's wife, thinking that her daughter might forget to
put out thecandles, performed that duty herself, leaving only
a light in the lamp hanging from the ceiling.

“Do not be long before you go to your room, dear little
Mary,” said the judge’s wile; “for if you remain up, too
long, you will not be able to rise at your usual hour to-
morrow morning.”

With these words the lady quitted the room. and closed
the door behind her.

The moment Mary found as
herself alone, she bethought
herself, above all things, of _—(\-
her poor little Nut-cracker; ==
for she had contrived to keep
it in her arms, wrapped up in
her pocket handkerchief. She placed him upon the table
very gently, unrolled her handkerchief, and examined his

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