Very soon the Count heard the sound of many merry voices, and his eyes began to sparkle.
“They are coming!” he cried, and threw open the door of the castle, and went to meet his little guests; but when he saw them he started back.
“What do you think?” he exclaimed to the Countess, who stood behind him. “There is a long procession of them, and they are headed by a giant–the young giant Feldar! Who ever heard of such a thing as a giant coming to a children’s festival! He will eat up everything we have in a few mouthfuls!”
“You might as well let him do it!” said the Countess. “There won’t be enough for the others, anyway. There seem to be hundreds of them; and if there isn’t a band of music striking up!”
Sure enough, quite a procession was approaching the castle. First came the giant Feldar, with Tillette, the little fairy, on his finger; then four or five musicians; and after them a long line of children, all dressed in their best clothes, and marching two by two.
“Merry Christmas!” shouted the giant, as soon as he saw Count Cormo, and then all the children shouted “Merry Christmas!” until the castle courtyard echoed with the cheerful greeting, while the band played loudly and merrily.
QUITE A PROCESSION WAS APPROACHING THE CASTLE
“Come in, my dears,” cried the Count to the children. “I am glad to see you. But as for you, good giant, I fear my door is not quite large enough. But perhaps you can stoop and squeeze yourself in.”
“Count Cormo!” cried the fairy, from the giant’s finger. “I have a plan to propose.”