I wish I could walk on the roof of a house as well as he!"
"Let us have no cats in the night," said Louise, who could not bear them.
"Fred's plan is the best," said the doctor, "but we will try a trap first. Have we got one?"
"Godfather Drosselmeier can make them best," said Fred, "for he invented them."
All laughed; and, when the mother said that there was no mouse-trap in the house, the Counsellor assured her that he had a number in his possession, and immediately sent for one. In a short time it was brought, and a very excellent mouse-trap it seemed to be. The story of the Hard Nut now came vividly to the minds of the children. As the cook toasted the fat, Maria shook and trembled. Her head was full of the story and its wonders, and she said to her old friend Dora: "Ah, great Queen, take care of Lady Mouserings and her family!" But Fred had drawn his sword, and cried: "Let
