The Steadfast Tin Soldier (2)

The Steadfast Tin Soldier (2)

On the table with the tin soldiers were many other playthings, and one that no eye could miss was a marvelous castle of cardboard.

It had little windows through which you could look right inside it.

And in front of the castle were miniature trees around a little mirror supposed to represent a lake.
The wax swans that swam on its surface were reflected in the mirror.

All this was very pretty but prettiest of all was the little lady who stood in the open doorway of the castle.

Though she was a paper doll, she wore a dress of the fluffiest gauze. A tiny blue ribbon went over her shoulder for a scarf, and in the middle of it shone a spangle that was as big as her face.

The little lady held out both her arms, as a ballet dancer does, and one leg was lifted so high behind her that the tin soldier couldn't see it at all.
He supposed she must have only one leg, as he did.

" This beautiful lady would be a wife for me," he thought.

(2/10)