58 THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER.

to fetch the trees to which the presents sent by the guardian
angels are fastened.” ;
“Qh!” continued Mary, ‘‘may I not remain here one
moment? Everything is so nice here, and smells so sweet !”
The Nut-cracker clapped his hands together; and several
shepherds and shepherdesses, hunters and huntresses, came
out of the forest, all so delicate and white that they seemed
made of refined sugar. They carried “=
on their shoulders an arm-chair,
made of chocolate, incrusted with
angelica, in which they placed
a cushion of jujube, inviting
Mary most politely to sit down.
Scarcely had she done so when,
as at operas, the shepherds and
shepherdesses, the hunters and 2
huntresses_ took their places and 3%
began to dance a charming ballet ae
to an accompaniment of horns and bugles, which the hunters
i blew with'such good
will that their faces
became flushed just
as if they were made
. of conserve of roses.
= Then, the dance
being finished, they
all disappeared in a
: Tove.
‘*Pardon me, dear Miss Silberhaus,” said the Nut-cracker,
holding out his hand towards Mary,—* pardon me for
having exhibited to you so poor a ballet ; but those simpletons
can do nothing better than repeat, over and over again, the
same step. As for the hunters, they blew their bugles as
if they were afraid of them; and I can promise you that I
shall not let it pass so quietly. But let us leave those crea-
tures for the present, and continue our walk, if you please.”