house went to bed. Then the toys began to play, and amuse themselves,—they played at visiting, and at dancing the polka, and at war.
The soldiers in the box made a rattle; for they wanted to join the game, but the cover would not come off. The nutcrackers threw a sommerset, and the slate-pencil jumped about on the slate; it was such a sight that even the canary-bird awoke, and began to talk with the rest, and in verse, too, into the bargain.
The only two who did not move from their places were the leaden Soldier and the little Dancer; she remained in her graceful position on tip-toe with outstretched arms; and he stood just as firm on his one leg, and never took his eyes from off her even for a moment.
Now the clock struck twelve. Suddenly the cover of the snuff-box flew open; but there was no snuff in it. No, out sprung a little black Magician, for it was a conjuring- box.
