THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 61

‘My dear doctor,” said the judge’s wife, “I hope that
your story will not be so melancholy as your song?”

“Qh! no, my dear lady,” returned Godfather Drossel-
mayer. ‘On the contrary, it is very amusing.”

“ Tell it to us, then!” cried both the children.

Godfather Drosselmayer accordingly began in the follow-
ing manner.