Next night two more Mice came,
and on Sunday two Rats, even; but they said the
stories were not amusing, which vexed the little
Mice, because they, too, now began to think
them not so very amusing either.
``Do you know only that one story?'' asked the
Rats.
``Only that one!'' answered the Tree. ``I heard
it on my happiest evening; but I did not then
know how happy I was.''
``It is a very stupid story! Don't you know one
about bacon and tallow candles? Can't you tell
any larder-stories?''
``No,'' said the Tree.
``Thank you, then,'' said the Rats; and they
went home.
At last the little Mice stayed away also; and
the Tree sighed: ``After all, it was very pleasant
when the sleek little Mice sat round me and heard
what I told them. Now that too is over. But I
will take good care to enjoy myself when I am
brought out again.''
But when was that to be? Why, it was one
morning when there came a number of people and
set to work in the loft. The trunks were moved,
the tree was pulled out and thrown down; they
knocked him upon the floor, but a man drew him
at once toward the stairs, where the daylight shone.
V
OUT OF DOORS AGAIN
``Now life begins again,'' thought the Tree. He
felt the fresh air, the first sunbeam,--and now
he was out in the courtyard. All passed so quickly
that the Tree quite forgot to look to himself, there
was so much going on around him.
Pages:
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280