第8部分(第3/7 页)

ught　about　the　deal　box。

But　the　Roman　Candle　and　the　Bengal　Light　were　quite　indignant；　and

kept　saying；　〃Humbug！　humbug！〃　at　the　top　of　their　voices。　They　were

extremely　practical；　and　whenever　they　objected　to　anything　they　called　it

humbug。

Then　the　moon　rose　like　a　wonderful　silver　shield；　and　the　stars　began

to　shine；　and　a　sound　of　music　came　from　the　palace。

The　Prince　and　Princess　were　leading　the　dance。　They　danced　so

beautifully　that　the　tall　white　lilies　peeped　in　at　the　window　and　watched

them；　and　the　great　red　poppies　nodded　their　heads　and　beat　time。

Then　ten　o'clock　struck；　and　then　eleven；　and　then　twelve；　and　at　the

last　stroke　of　midnight　every　one　came　out　on　the　terrace；　and　the　King

sent　for　the　Royal　Pyrotechnist。

〃Let　the　fireworks　begin；〃　said　the　King；　and　the　Royal　Pyrotechnist

made　a　low　bow；　and　marched　down　to　the　end　of　the　garden。　He　had　six

attendants　with　him；　each　of　whom　carried　a　lighted　torch　at　the　end　of　a

long　pole。

It　was　certainly　a　magnificent　display。

Whizz！　Whizz！　went　the　Catherine　Wheel；　as　she　spun　round　and

round。　Boom！　Boom！　went　the　Roman　Candle。　Then　the　Squibs

danced　all　over　the　place；　and　the　Bengal　Lights　made　everything　look

scarlet。　〃Good…bye；〃　cried　the　Fire…balloon；　as　he　soared　away；　dropping

tiny　blue　sparks。　Bang！　Bang！　answered　the　Crackers；　who　were

enjoying　themselves　immensely。　Every　one　was　a　great　success　except

the　Remarkable　Rocket。　He　was　so　damp　with　crying　that　he　could　not

go　off　at　all。　The　best　thing　in　him　was　the　gunpowder；　and　that　was　so

wet　with　tears　that　it　was　of　no　use。　All　his　poor　relations；　to　whom　he