“Thou wilt be dancing with them, next Christmas, Liebchen,” said the Emperor, patting his grandson’s curly head.
“Ye-e-s, sir,” assented Max, without enthusiasm; “but oh, Grandpapa Franzchen,” he cried excitedly, “I’d rather run races in the garden with Betty and Fritzl and Tzandi!”
“Well, thou canst do both,” laughed “Unser Franz.”
“Oh dear me,” sighed Betty, as the candles having burnt low in the sconces, and upon the great tree, the last good nights were being said: “Christmas is all over!”
“It will come again next year, little sister, it always does,” consoled Max, “and next year it will be nicer for Fritzl, because he missed the Christmas tree last night, you know, Betty!”
“It couldn’t be nicer,” cried Fritzl, smiling gratefully at the little brother and sister: “it’s the very most beautifullest Christmas that ever was!” And Tzandi, whirling delightedly on his hind legs, barked an ecstatic assent.
Transcriber’s Notes
The following corrections have been applied to the text:
Page 12 - ...“Now God bless thee, Liebchen,’... changed to ...“Now God bless thee, [Liebchen,]”... Page 12 - ...demurely to to the Emperor.... changed to ...demurely [to] the Emperor.... Page 28 - ...the lad who played to them’... changed to ...the lad who played to [them,]...