m and comforted them. And
their mother said, "I do not know how it is that I feel compelled to
believe in this story of yours to-day, nor how my believing in it seems
to have taken away all my sorrow and anxiety. Let us go on our way with
confidence."

They were kindly received and welcomed by their relatives, and all that
the Stranger Child promised came to pass. Whatever Felix and Christlieb
undertook was sure to prosper, and they and their mother became quite
happy. And, as their lives went on, they still, in dreams, played with
the Stranger Child, which, never ceased to bring to them the loveliest
wonders from its fairy home.

* * * * *

"No doubt," said Ottmar, when Lothair had finished, "your 'Stranger
Child' is more purely a story for children than your 'Nutcracker.'
Still, pardon me for saying so, you haven't been able to refrain from
introducing a certain number of your confounded flourishes, such as no
child could see to the bottom of."

"I," said Sylvester, "have long been acquainted with the little
Devilkin that sits on Lothair's shoulder like a tame squirrel. He can't
shut his ears to the strange things which the creature whispers to
him."

"At all events," said Cyprian, "he ought to call those stories, 'Tales
for Children, great and small,' instead of 'Tales for Children.'"

"Or," added Vincent, "'Tales for Children, and those who are not
children.' In this way the entire world would be able to take them up
and form their own opinion of them."

They all laughed, and Lothair, in comic anger, declared that in his
next he would give full rein to his inspiration, regardless of
consequences.

Midnight having struck, the friends said good-night, and separated in
the happiest of moods.

* * * * *

[Footnote 1: The time of Napoleon's Prussian operations is here meant.
Hoffmann passed through this in early life.--TRANS.]

[Footnote 2: This untranslateable expression means, "Sentence of death
is pronounced."--TRANSLATOR.]

[Footnote 3:
"Darling! remember well,
When I have passed away,
How this unchanging soul
Loves Thee for aye!
Though my poor ashes rest
Deep in the silent grave,
Ev'n in the urn of Death
Thee I adore!"]

[Footnote 4: I have omitted the words in question, as no