The Elderbush

Once upon a time there was a little boy who had taken cold. He had gone out and got his feet wet; though nobody could imagine how it had happened, for it was quite dry weather. So his mother undressed him, put him to bed, and had the tea-pot brought in, to make him a good cup of Elderflower tea. Just at that moment the merry old man came in who lived up a-top of the house all alone; for he had neither wife nor children—but he liked children very much, and knew so many fairy tales, that it was quite delightful.

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who had caught a cold. He had gone out and gotten his feet wet. No one could imagine how, though, because the weather was quite dry. So his mother undressed him and put him to bed. She had the teapot brought in to make him a good cup of Elderflower tea. Just then, a cheerful old man came in. He lived alone at the top of the house, for he had neither a wife nor children. But he loved children and knew so many fairy tales that it was a delight.

“Now drink your tea,” said the boy's mother; “then, perhaps, you may hear a fairy tale.”

“Now drink your tea,” said the boy's mother. “Then, perhaps, you may hear a fairy tale.”

“If I had but something new to tell,” said the old man. “But how did the child get his feet wet?”

“If only I had something new to tell,” said the old man. “But how did the child get his feet wet?”

“That is the very thing that nobody can make out,” said his mother.

“That is exactly what nobody can figure out,” said his mother.

“Am I to hear a fairy tale?” asked the little boy.

“Am I going to hear a fairy tale?” asked the little boy.

“Yes, if you can tell me exactly—for I must know that first—how deep the gutter is in the little street opposite, that you pass through in going to school.”

“Yes, if you can tell me exactly how deep the gutter is in the little street opposite. I must know that first. You pass through that street on your way to school.”

“Just up to the middle of my boot,” said the child; “but then I must go into the deep hole.”

“Just halfway up my boot,” said the child. “But then I have to go into the deep hole.”

“Ah, ah! That's where the wet feet came from,” said the old man. “I ought now to tell you a story; but I don't know any more.”

“Ah, ah! That's how the feet got wet,” said the old man. “I should tell you a story now, but I don't know any more.”

“You can make one in a moment,” said the little boy. “My mother says that all you look at can be turned into a fairy tale: and that you can find a story in everything.”

“You can make one up in a moment,” said the little boy. “My mother says everything you look at can become a fairy tale. She says you can find a story in everything.”

“Yes, but such tales and stories are good for nothing. The right sort come of themselves; they tap at my forehead and say, 'Here we are.'”

“Yes, but those tales and stories are no good. The right ones come on their own. They tap on my forehead and say, 'Here we are.'”

“Won't there be a tap soon?” asked the little boy. And his mother laughed, put some Elder-flowers in the tea-pot, and poured boiling water upon them.

“Won't there be a tap soon?” asked the little boy. His mother laughed and put some elderflowers in the teapot. Then she poured boiling water over them.

“Do tell me something! Pray do!”

“Please tell me something! Please do!”

“Yes, if a fairy tale would come of its own accord; but they are proud and haughty, and come only when they choose. Stop!” said he, all on a sudden. “I have it! Pay attention! There is one in the tea-pot!”

“Yes, if a fairy tale would come on its own. But fairy tales are proud and haughty, and they come only when they choose. Stop!” he said suddenly. “I have it! Pay attention! There is one in the teapot!”

And the little boy looked at the tea-pot. The cover rose more and more; and the Elder-flowers came forth so fresh and white, and shot up long branches. Out of the spout even did they spread themselves on all sides, and grew larger and larger; it was a splendid Elderbush, a whole tree; and it reached into the very bed, and pushed the curtains aside. How it bloomed! And what an odour! In the middle of the bush sat a friendly-looking old woman in a most strange dress. It was quite green, like the leaves of the elder, and was trimmed with large white Elder-flowers; so that at first one could not tell whether it was a stuff, or a natural green and real flowers.

The little boy looked at the teapot. The lid rose higher and higher, and fresh white elderflowers came out. Long branches shot up. They spread in every direction, even out of the spout, and grew larger and larger. It was a splendid elderbush, a whole tree. It reached right into the bed and pushed the curtains aside. How it bloomed! And what a scent! In the middle of the bush sat a friendly-looking old woman in a very strange dress. It was green, like elder leaves, and decorated with large white elderflowers. At first, it was hard to tell whether the dress was made of fabric or of real green leaves and flowers.

“What's that woman's name?” asked the little boy.

“What's that woman's name?” asked the little boy.

“The Greeks and Romans,” said the old man, “called her a Dryad; but that we do not understand. The people who live in the New Booths [*] have a much better name for her; they call her 'old Granny'—and she it is to whom you are to pay attention. Now listen, and look at the beautiful Elderbush.

“The Greeks and Romans,” said the old man, “called her a Dryad, but we don't understand that name. The people who live in the New Booths [*] have a much better name for her. They call her 'old Granny,' and she is the one you should pay attention to. Now listen, and look at the beautiful Elderbush.

“Just such another large blooming Elder Tree stands near the New Booths. It grew there in the corner of a little miserable court-yard; and under it sat, of an afternoon, in the most splendid sunshine, two old people; an old, old seaman, and his old, old wife. They had great-grand-children, and were soon to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage; but they could not exactly recollect the date: and old Granny sat in the tree, and looked as pleased as now. 'I know the date,' said she; but those below did not hear her, for they were talking about old times.

“Another large, blooming Elder Tree just like this one stands near the New Booths. It grew in the corner of a small, miserable courtyard. One afternoon, two old people sat beneath it in the glorious sunshine. They were a very old sailor and his very old wife. They had great-grandchildren and would soon celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. But they could not remember the exact date. Old Granny sat in the tree, looking as pleased as she does now. 'I know the date,' she said. But the people below did not hear her, because they were talking about old times.

“'Yes, can't you remember when we were very little,' said the old seaman, 'and ran and played about? It was the very same court-yard where we now are, and we stuck slips in the ground, and made a garden.'

“'Yes, don't you remember when we were very little,' said the old sailor, 'and ran around and played? It was in this very same courtyard. We stuck cuttings in the ground and made a garden.'

“'I remember it well,' said the old woman; 'I remember it quite well. We watered the slips, and one of them was an Elderbush. It took root, put forth green shoots, and grew up to be the large tree under which we old folks are now sitting.'

“'I remember it well,' said the old woman. 'I remember it quite well. We watered the cuttings, and one of them was an Elderbush. It took root and grew green shoots. It grew into the large tree under which we old folks are sitting now.'

“'To be sure,' said he. 'And there in the corner stood a waterpail, where I used to swim my boats.'

“'Of course,' he said. 'And in the corner was a bucket of water where I used to float my boats.'

“'True; but first we went to school to learn somewhat,' said she; 'and then we were confirmed. We both cried; but in the afternoon we went up the Round Tower, and looked down on Copenhagen, and far, far away over the water; then we went to Friedericksberg, where the King and the Queen were sailing about in their splendid barges.'

“'True, but first we went to school to learn a little,' she said. 'Then we were confirmed. We both cried. But in the afternoon we went up the Round Tower. We looked down on Copenhagen and far, far away across the water. Then we went to Friedericksberg, where the King and Queen were sailing around in their splendid barges.'

“'But I had a different sort of sailing to that, later; and that, too, for many a year; a long way off, on great voyages.'

“'But later, I sailed in a different way. For many years, I took long voyages far away.'

“'Yes, many a time have I wept for your sake,' said she. 'I thought you were dead and gone, and lying down in the deep waters. Many a night have I got up to see if the wind had not changed: and changed it had, sure enough; but you never came. I remember so well one day, when the rain was pouring down in torrents, the scavengers were before the house where I was in service, and I had come up with the dust, and remained standing at the door—it was dreadful weather—when just as I was there, the postman came and gave me a letter. It was from you! What a tour that letter had made! I opened it instantly and read: I laughed and wept. I was so happy. In it I read that you were in warm lands where the coffee-tree grows. What a blessed land that must be! You related so much, and I saw it all the while the rain was pouring down, and I standing there with the dust-box. At the same moment came someone who embraced me.'

“'Yes, I have often wept for you,' she said. 'I thought you were dead and gone, lying deep beneath the water. Many nights I got up to see whether the wind had changed. It had changed, sure enough, but you never came. I remember one day very well. Rain was pouring down, and the dust collectors were outside the house where I worked. I had brought out the dust and was standing at the door. The weather was dreadful. Just then, the postman came and gave me a letter. It was from you! What a journey that letter had made! I opened it at once and read it. I laughed and wept. I was so happy. You wrote that you were in warm lands where coffee trees grow. What a blessed land that must be! You told me so much, and I could see it all. Meanwhile, the rain was pouring down, and I stood there with the dust box. At that very moment, someone came and embraced me.'

“'Yes; but you gave him a good box on his ear that made it tingle!'

“'Yes, but you gave him a good slap on the ear that made it tingle!'

“'But I did not know it was you. You arrived as soon as your letter, and you were so handsome—that you still are—and had a long yellow silk handkerchief round your neck, and a bran new hat on; oh, you were so dashing! Good heavens! What weather it was, and what a state the street was in!'

“'But I didn't know it was you. You arrived as soon as your letter did, and you were so handsome. You still are. You had a long yellow silk scarf around your neck and a brand-new hat on. Oh, you looked so dashing! Good heavens! What weather we had, and what a mess the street was in!'

“'And then we married,' said he. 'Don't you remember? And then we had our first little boy, and then Mary, and Nicholas, and Peter, and Christian.'

“'And then we got married,' he said. 'Don't you remember? Then we had our first little boy, followed by Mary, Nicholas, Peter, and Christian.'

“'Yes, and how they all grew up to be honest people, and were beloved by everybody.'

“'Yes, and how they all grew up to be honest people and were loved by everyone.'

“'And their children also have children,' said the old sailor; 'yes, those are our grand-children, full of strength and vigor. It was, methinks about this season that we had our wedding.'

“'And their children have children too,' said the old sailor. 'Yes, those are our grandchildren, full of strength and energy. I think we were married around this time of year.'

“'Yes, this very day is the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage,' said old Granny, sticking her head between the two old people; who thought it was their neighbor who nodded to them. They looked at each other and held one another by the hand. Soon after came their children, and their grand-children; for they knew well enough that it was the day of the fiftieth anniversary, and had come with their gratulations that very morning; but the old people had forgotten it, although they were able to remember all that had happened many years ago. And the Elderbush sent forth a strong odour in the sun, that was just about to set, and shone right in the old people's faces. They both looked so rosy-cheeked; and the youngest of the grandchildren danced around them, and called out quite delighted, that there was to be something very splendid that evening—they were all to have hot potatoes. And old Nanny nodded in the bush, and shouted 'hurrah!' with the rest.”

“'Yes, today is their fiftieth wedding anniversary,' said old Granny, sticking her head between the two old people. They thought it was their neighbor nodding to them. They looked at each other and held hands. Soon afterward, their children and grandchildren arrived. They knew very well it was the couple's fiftieth anniversary and had come that morning to congratulate them. But the old people had forgotten the anniversary, although they could remember everything that had happened many years ago. The Elderbush gave off a strong scent in the sunlight. The sun was just about to set, and it shone directly into the old people's faces. Both looked rosy-cheeked. The youngest grandchild danced around them, calling out with delight that something splendid was coming that evening: they were all going to have hot potatoes. And old Nanny nodded in the bush and shouted 'hurrah!' along with everyone else.”

“But that is no fairy tale,” said the little boy, who was listening to the story.

“But that’s not a fairy tale,” said the little boy who was listening to the story.

“The thing is, you must understand it,” said the narrator; “let us ask old Nanny.”

“The thing is, you have to understand it,” said the narrator. “Let's ask old Nanny.”

“That was no fairy tale, 'tis true,” said old Nanny; “but now it's coming. The most wonderful fairy tales grow out of that which is reality; were that not the case, you know, my magnificent Elderbush could not have grown out of the tea-pot.” And then she took the little boy out of bed, laid him on her bosom, and the branches of the Elder Tree, full of flowers, closed around her. They sat in an aerial dwelling, and it flew with them through the air. Oh, it was wondrous beautiful! Old Nanny had grown all of a sudden a young and pretty maiden; but her robe was still the same green stuff with white flowers, which she had worn before. On her bosom she had a real Elderflower, and in her yellow waving hair a wreath of the flowers; her eyes were so large and blue that it was a pleasure to look at them; she kissed the boy, and now they were of the same age and felt alike.

“That was not a fairy tale, it's true,” said old Nanny. “But now the fairy tale is coming. The most wonderful fairy tales grow out of reality. If that were not so, you know, my magnificent Elderbush could not have grown out of the teapot.” Then she took the little boy out of bed and held him against her chest. The branches of the Elder Tree, full of flowers, closed around her. They sat in a dwelling in the air, and it flew with them through the sky. Oh, it was wonderfully beautiful! Old Nanny had suddenly become a young, pretty maiden. But her dress was still made of the same green fabric with white flowers that she had worn before. She wore a real Elderflower on her chest and a wreath of the flowers in her wavy blond hair. Her eyes were so large and blue that it was a pleasure to look at them. She kissed the boy, and now they were the same age and felt the same way.

Hand in hand they went out of the bower, and they were standing in the beautiful garden of their home. Near the green lawn papa's walking-stick was tied, and for the little ones it seemed to be endowed with life; for as soon as they got astride it, the round polished knob was turned into a magnificent neighing head, a long black mane fluttered in the breeze, and four slender yet strong legs shot out. The animal was strong and handsome, and away they went at full gallop round the lawn.

Hand in hand, they left the bower and stood in the beautiful garden of their home. Papa's walking stick was tied up near the green lawn. To the children, it seemed to come alive. As soon as they climbed onto it, the round, polished knob became a magnificent head that neighed. A long black mane fluttered in the breeze, and four slender but strong legs appeared. The animal was strong and handsome, and they rode off at full gallop around the lawn.

“Huzza! Now we are riding miles off,” said the boy. “We are riding away to the castle where we were last year!”

“Hooray! Now we’re riding miles away,” said the boy. “We’re riding to the castle where we were last year!”

And on they rode round the grass-plot; and the little maiden, who, we know, was no one else but old Nanny, kept on crying out, “Now we are in the country! Don't you see the farm-house yonder? And there is an Elder Tree standing beside it; and the cock is scraping away the earth for the hens, look, how he struts! And now we are close to the church. It lies high upon the hill, between the large oak-trees, one of which is half decayed. And now we are by the smithy, where the fire is blazing, and where the half-naked men are banging with their hammers till the sparks fly about. Away! away! To the beautiful country-seat!”

And on they rode around the lawn. The little girl was, as we know, none other than old Nanny. She kept calling out, “Now we are in the country! Don't you see the farmhouse over there? And there is an Elder Tree beside it. The rooster is scratching the earth for the hens. Look how he struts! And now we are close to the church. It stands high on the hill, between the large oak trees. One of the trees is half decayed. And now we are by the smithy. The fire is blazing there, and the half-naked men are pounding with their hammers until sparks fly. Away! Away! To the beautiful country estate!”

And all that the little maiden, who sat behind on the stick, spoke of, flew by in reality. The boy saw it all, and yet they were only going round the grass-plot. Then they played in a side avenue, and marked out a little garden on the earth; and they took Elder-blossoms from their hair, planted them, and they grew just like those the old people planted when they were children, as related before. They went hand in hand, as the old people had done when they were children; but not to the Round Tower, or to Friedericksberg; no, the little damsel wound her arms round the boy, and then they flew far away through all Denmark. And spring came, and summer; and then it was autumn, and then winter; and a thousand pictures were reflected in the eye and in the heart of the boy; and the little girl always sang to him, “This you will never forget.” And during their whole flight the Elder Tree smelt so sweet and odorous; he remarked the roses and the fresh beeches, but the Elder Tree had a more wondrous fragrance, for its flowers hung on the breast of the little maiden; and there, too, did he often lay his head during the flight.

Everything the little girl spoke of came to life as she sat behind the boy on the stick. He saw it all, though they were only going around the grassy plot. Then they played in a side path and marked out a little garden on the ground. They took Elder-blossoms from their hair and planted them. The blossoms grew, just like those the old people had planted as children, as told before. The children walked hand in hand, just as the old people had done when they were children. But they did not go to the Round Tower or to Friedericksberg. Instead, the little girl wrapped her arms around the boy, and they flew far away across Denmark. Spring came, then summer, then autumn, and then winter. A thousand pictures appeared before the boy’s eyes and filled his heart. The little girl sang to him all the while, “This you will never forget.” Throughout their flight, the Elder Tree smelled sweet and fragrant. The boy noticed the roses and the fresh beech trees, but the Elder Tree had a more wonderful fragrance. Its flowers hung on the little girl’s chest, where he often rested his head during the flight.

“It is lovely here in spring!” said the young maiden. And they stood in a beech-wood that had just put on its first green, where the woodroof [*] at their feet sent forth its fragrance, and the pale-red anemony looked so pretty among the verdure. “Oh, would it were always spring in the sweetly-smelling Danish beech-forests!”

“It's lovely here in spring!” said the young woman. They stood in a beech forest where the first green leaves had just appeared. Fragrant woodruff [*] grew at their feet, and pale red anemones looked so pretty among the greenery. “Oh, I wish it were always spring in the sweet-smelling Danish beech forests!”

“It is lovely here in summer!” said she. And she flew past old castles of by-gone days of chivalry, where the red walls and the embattled gables were mirrored in the canal, where the swans were swimming, and peered up into the old cool avenues. In the fields the corn was waving like the sea; in the ditches red and yellow flowers were growing; while wild-drone flowers, and blooming convolvuluses were creeping in the hedges; and towards evening the moon rose round and large, and the haycocks in the meadows smelt so sweetly. “This one never forgets!”

“It is lovely here in summer!” she said. She flew past old castles from the days of chivalry. Their red walls and battlemented gables were reflected in the canal, where swans swam. She peered into the cool old tree-lined paths. In the fields, the grain waved like the sea. Red and yellow flowers grew in the ditches. Wild-drone flowers and blooming bindweed crept through the hedges. Toward evening, the moon rose, round and large, and the haystacks in the meadows smelled so sweet. “One never forgets this!”

“It is lovely here in autumn!” said the little maiden. And suddenly the atmosphere grew as blue again as before; the forest grew red, and green, and yellow-colored. The dogs came leaping along, and whole flocks of wild-fowl flew over the cairn, where blackberry-bushes were hanging round the old stones. The sea was dark blue, covered with ships full of white sails; and in the barn old women, maidens, and children were sitting picking hops into a large cask; the young sang songs, but the old told fairy tales of mountain-sprites and soothsayers. Nothing could be more charming.

“It’s lovely here in autumn!” said the little girl. Suddenly, the sky turned blue again, as it had been before. The forest turned red, green, and yellow. The dogs came bounding along, and whole flocks of wild birds flew over the cairn. Blackberry bushes hung around its old stones. The sea was dark blue and covered with ships carrying white sails. In the barn, old women, girls, and children sat picking hops into a large barrel. The young sang songs, but the old told fairy tales about mountain-sprites and fortune tellers. Nothing could be more charming.

“It is delightful here in winter!” said the little maiden. And all the trees were covered with hoar-frost; they looked like white corals; the snow crackled under foot, as if one had new boots on; and one falling star after the other was seen in the sky. The Christmas-tree was lighted in the room; presents were there, and good-humor reigned. In the country the violin sounded in the room of the peasant; the newly-baked cakes were attacked; even the poorest child said, “It is really delightful here in winter!”

“It is lovely here in winter!” said the little girl. All the trees were covered in frost and looked like white coral. The snow crunched underfoot, as if one were wearing new boots. Shooting stars appeared in the sky, one after another. The Christmas tree was lit in the room. There were presents, and everyone was in good spirits. In the countryside, a violin played in the peasant’s room, and people eagerly ate the freshly baked cakes. Even the poorest child said, “It is really lovely here in winter!”

Yes, it was delightful; and the little maiden showed the boy everything; and the Elder Tree still was fragrant, and the red flag, with the white cross, was still waving: the flag under which the old seaman in the New Booths had sailed. And the boy grew up to be a lad, and was to go forth in the wide world-far, far away to warm lands, where the coffee-tree grows; but at his departure the little maiden took an Elder-blossom from her bosom, and gave it him to keep; and it was placed between the leaves of his Prayer-Book; and when in foreign lands he opened the book, it was always at the place where the keepsake-flower lay; and the more he looked at it, the fresher it became; he felt as it were, the fragrance of the Danish groves; and from among the leaves of the flowers he could distinctly see the little maiden, peeping forth with her bright blue eyes—and then she whispered, “It is delightful here in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter”; and a hundred visions glided before his mind.

Yes, it was delightful, and the little girl showed the boy everything. The Elder Tree was still fragrant, and the red flag with the white cross was still waving. It was the flag under which the old sailor in the New Booths had sailed. The boy grew into a young man and had to go out into the wide world. He was going far, far away to warm lands where the coffee tree grows. But when he left, the little girl took an Elder blossom from her bosom and gave it to him as a keepsake. He placed it between the pages of his Prayer-Book. When he opened the book in foreign lands, it always opened to the place where the flower lay. The more he looked at it, the fresher it became. He felt as if he could smell the Danish groves. Among the flower’s leaves, he could clearly see the little girl peeking out with her bright blue eyes. Then she whispered, “It is delightful here in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.” And a hundred visions passed through his mind.

Thus passed many years, and he was now an old man, and sat with his old wife under the blooming tree. They held each other by the hand, as the old grand-father and grand-mother yonder in the New Booths did, and they talked exactly like them of old times, and of the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. The little maiden, with the blue eyes, and with Elder-blossoms in her hair, sat in the tree, nodded to both of them, and said, “To-day is the fiftieth anniversary!” And then she took two flowers out of her hair, and kissed them. First, they shone like silver, then like gold; and when they laid them on the heads of the old people, each flower became a golden crown. So there they both sat, like a king and a queen, under the fragrant tree, that looked exactly like an elder: the old man told his wife the story of “Old Nanny,” as it had been told him when a boy. And it seemed to both of them it contained much that resembled their own history; and those parts that were like it pleased them best.

Many years passed, and he was now an old man. He sat with his old wife under the flowering tree. They held hands, just as the old grandfather and grandmother over in the New Booths did. Like them, they talked about old times and their fiftieth wedding anniversary. The little girl with blue eyes and elder blossoms in her hair sat in the tree. She nodded to them both and said, “Today is the fiftieth anniversary!” Then she took two flowers from her hair and kissed them. First, the flowers shone like silver, then like gold. When she placed them on the old couple’s heads, each flower became a golden crown. So they sat like a king and queen under the fragrant tree, which looked just like an elder tree. The old man told his wife the story of “Old Nanny,” just as he had heard it as a boy. They both felt that much of the story resembled their own lives. The parts that reminded them of their lives pleased them most.

“Thus it is,” said the little maiden in the tree, “some call me 'Old Nanny,' others a 'Dryad,' but, in reality, my name is 'Remembrance'; 'tis I who sit in the tree that grows and grows! I can remember; I can tell things! Let me see if you have my flower still?”

“That is how it is,” said the little girl in the tree. “Some call me 'Old Nanny,' others call me a 'Dryad,' but my real name is 'Remembrance.' I sit in the tree that keeps growing and growing! I can remember. I can tell stories! Let me see if you still have my flower?”

And the old man opened his Prayer-Book. There lay the Elder-blossom, as fresh as if it had been placed there but a short time before; and Remembrance nodded, and the old people, decked with crowns of gold, sat in the flush of the evening sun. They closed their eyes, and—and—! Yes, that's the end of the story!

The old man opened his prayer book. The elder blossom lay inside, as fresh as if it had been placed there only a little while ago. Remembrance nodded, and the old people sat in the glow of the evening sun, wearing crowns of gold. They closed their eyes, and, and! Yes, that's the end of the story!

The little boy lay in his bed; he did not know if he had dreamed or not, or if he had been listening while someone told him the story. The tea-pot was standing on the table, but no Elder Tree was growing out of it! And the old man, who had been talking, was just on the point of going out at the door, and he did go.

The little boy lay in bed. He did not know whether he had dreamed or had heard someone tell him the story. The teapot stood on the table, but no Elder Tree was growing out of it! The old man who had been talking was just about to leave, and he went out the door.

“How splendid that was!” said the little boy. “Mother, I have been to warm countries.”

“That was wonderful!” said the little boy. “Mother, I have been to warm countries.”

“So I should think,” said his mother. “When one has drunk two good cupfuls of Elder-flower tea, 'tis likely enough one goes into warm climates”; and she tucked him up nicely, least he should take cold. “You have had a good sleep while I have been sitting here, and arguing with him whether it was a story or a fairy tale.”

“I should think so,” said his mother. “After drinking two good cups of elderflower tea, you’re likely enough to find yourself in a warm climate.” She tucked him in snugly so he wouldn’t catch cold. “You’ve had a good sleep while I’ve been sitting here, arguing with him about whether it was a story or a fairy tale.”

“And where is old Nanny?” asked the little boy.

“And where is old Nanny?” asked the little boy.

“In the tea-pot,” said his mother; “and there she may remain.”

“In the teapot,” said his mother. “And she may stay there.”