Page:The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (c1899).djvu/29

 as delicate as another, and as to his being a chimney-sweeper, it was only that he represented one; the potter might just as well have made a prince out of him, for it would have been all one!

There he stood so elegantly with his ladder, and with a countenance as white and as rosy as a girl’s—indeed, this was, properly speaking, a fault, for his face ought to have been rather black. He stood close to the shepherdess; they had both been placed where they stood; and having been so placed, they became betrothed to each other. They were well matched, being both young people, made of the same china, and equally fragile.

Close to them sat another figure, three times their size. He was an old Chinese, who could nod his head. He also was made of china, and pretended to be the grandfather of the little shepherdess; but this he could not prove. He maintained that he was entitled to control her, and, therefore, when General-and-Lieutenant-General-Goat-Bandylegs-Field-Sergeant asked for the little shepherdess’s hand, he had nodded consent.

“You will obtain in him,” said the old Chinese, “a husband whom I verily believe to be of mahogany. You will become the lady of General-and-Lieutenant-General-Goat-Bandylegs-Field-Sergeant! and he has a whole cupboardful of plate, to say nothing of what may be hid in the spring-drawers and secret compartments.”

“I don’t choose to live in the dark cupboard,” said the little shepherdess. “I have heard say that he has eleven china wives in it already.”

“Then you can become the twelfth!” said the Chinese. To-night, as soon as you hear a creaking in the old press, your wedding shall take place, as true as I’m a Chinese.” And thereupon he nodded his head, and fell asleep.

But the little shepherdess cried, and looked at her sweetheart, the china chimney-sweeper.

“I entreat you,” said she, “to go with me into the wide world, for we can’t remain here.”

“I will do anything you please,” said the little chimney-sweeper; “let us set out immediately. I think I can maintain you with my profession.”