shepherdess, although he could not prove it. He however assumed authority
over her, and therefore when “Major-general-field-sergeant-commander
Billy-goat’s-legs” asked for the little shepherdess to be his wife, he nodded
his head to show that he consented. “You will have a husband,” said the old
Chinaman to her, “who I really believe is made of mahogany. He will make
you a lady of Major-general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat’s-legs.
He has the whole cupboard full of silver plate, which he keeps locked up in
secret drawers.”
“I won’t go into the dark cupboard,” said the little shepherdess. “I have
heard that he has eleven china wives there already.”
“Then you shall be the twelfth,” said the old Chinaman. “To-night as
soon as you hear a rattling in the old cupboard, you shall be married, as true
as I am a Chinaman;” and then he nodded his head and fell asleep.
Then the little shepherdess cried, and looked at her sweetheart, the china
chimney-sweep. “I must entreat you,” said she, “to go out with me into the
wide world, for we cannot stay here.”
“I will do whatever you wish,” said the little chimney-sweep; “let us go
immediately: I think I shall be able to maintain you with my profession.”
“If we were but safely down from the table!” said she; “I shall not be
happy till we are really out in the world.”
Then he comforted her, and showed her how to place her little foot on the
carved edge and gilt-leaf ornaments of the table. He brought his little ladder
to help her, and so they contrived to reach the floor. But when they looked
at the old cupboard, they saw it was all in an uproar. The carved stags
pushed out their heads, raised their antlers, and twisted their necks. The
major-general sprung up in the air; and cried out to the old Chinaman,
“They are running away! they are running away!” The two were rather
frightened at this, so they jumped into the drawer of the window-seat. Here
were three or four packs of cards not quite complete, and a doll’s theatre,
which had been built up very neatly. A comedy was being performed in it,
and all the queens of diamonds, clubs, and hearts,, and spades, sat in the
