at's my little peal of bells!' cried Marie, and went nearer and
looked in. Then she saw that there was bright light in the cupboard,
and everything busily in motion there; dolls and little figures of
various kinds all running about together, and struggling with their
little arms. At this point, Nutcracker rose from his bed, cast off the
bedclothes, and sprung with both feet on to the floor (of the shelf),
crying out at the top of his voice:

'Knack, knack, knack,
Stupid mousey pack,
All their skulls we'll crack.
Mousey pack, knack, knack,
Mousey pack, crick and crack,
Cowardly lot of schnack!'

"And with this he drew his little sword, waved it in the air, and
cried:

"'Ye, my trusty vassals, brethren and friends, are ye ready to stand by
me in this great battle?'

"Immediately three scaramouches, one pantaloon, four chimney-sweeps,
two zither-players, and a drummer cried, in eager accents:

"'Yes, your highness; we will stand by you in loyal duty; we will
follow you to the death, the victory, and the fray!' And they
precipitated themselves after Nutcracker (who, in the excitement of the
moment, had dared that perilous leap) to the bottom shelf. Now _they_
might well dare this perilous leap, for not only had they got plenty of
clothes on, of cloth and silk, but besides, there was not much in their
insides except cotton and sawdust, so that they plumped down like
little wool-sacks. But as for poor Nutcracker, he would certainly have
broken his anus and legs; for, bethink you, it was nearly two feet from
where he had stood to the shelf below, and his body was as fragile as
if he had been made of elm-wood. Yes, Nutcracker would have broken his
arms and legs, had not Miss Clara started up, at the moment of his
spring, from her sofa, and received the hero, drawn sword and all, in
her tender arms.

"'Oh! you dear, good Clara!' cried Marie, 'how I did misunderstand you.
I believe you were quite willing to let dear Nutcracker have your bed.'

"But Miss Clara now cried, as she pressed the young hero gently to her
silken breast:

"'Oh, my lord! go not into this battle and danger, sick and wounded
as you are. See how your trusty vassals, clowns and pantaloon,
chimney-sweeps, zithermen and drummer, are already arrayed below; and
the puzzle-figures, in my shelf here, are in motion, and preparing for
the fray! Deign, then, oh my lord, to rest in these a