closed, and he might not open them till he
had made seven steps backwards without a stumble.

"'Drosselmeier and the astronomer had been at work on this problem
uninterruptedly for three days and three nights; and on the Saturday
the king was sitting at dinner, when Drosselmeier--who was to have been
beheaded on the Sunday morning--burst joyfully in to announce that he
had found out what had to be done to restore Princess Pirlipat to her
pristine beauty. The king embraced him in a burst of rapture, and
promised him a diamond sword, four decorations, and two Sunday suits.

"'"Set to work immediately after dinner," the monarch cried: adding,
kindly, "Take care, dear Arcanist, that the young unshaven gentleman in
shoes, with the nut Crackatook all ready in his hand, is on the spot;
and be sure that he touches no liquor beforehand, so that he mayn't
trip up when he makes his seven backward steps like a crab. He can get
as drunk as a lord afterwards, if he likes."

"'Drosselmeier was dismayed at this utterance of the king's, and
stammered out, not without trembling and hesitation, that, though the
remedy was discovered, both the nut Crackatook and the young gentleman
who was to crack it had still to be searched for, and that it was
matter of doubt whether they ever would be got hold of at all. The
king, greatly incensed, whirled his sceptre round his crowned head, and
shouted, in the voice of a lion:

"'"Very well, then you must be beheaded!"

"'It was exceedingly fortunate for the wretched Drosselmeier that the
king had thoroughly enjoyed his dinner that day, and was consequently
in an admirable temper, and disposed to listen to the sensible advice
which the queen, who was very sorry for Drosselmeier, did not spare to
give him. Drosselmeier took heart, and represented that he really had
fulfilled the conditions, and discovered the necessary measures, and
had gained his life, consequently. The king said this was all bosh and
nonsense; but at length, after two or three glasses of liqueurs,
decreed that Drosselmeier and the astronomer should start off
immediately, and not come back without the nut Crackatook in their
pockets. The man who was to crack it (by the queen's suggestion) might
be heard of by means of advertisements in the local and foreign
newspapers and gazettes.'

"Godpapa Drosselmeier interrupted his story at this point, and promised
to finish it on the following evening.

"Next evening, as soon as the