Стойкий оловянный солдатик

           Therewereoncefive-and-twentytinsoldiers. Theywereallbrothers,bornofthesameoldtinspoon. Theyshoulderedtheirmusketsandlookedstraightaheadofthem,splendidintheiruniforms,allredandblue. 

           Theveryfirstthingintheworldthattheyheardwas, "Tinsoldiers!" Asmallboyshouteditandclappedhishandsasthelidwasliftedofftheirboxonhisbirthday. Heimmediatelysetthemuponthetable. 

           Allthesoldierslookedexactlyalikeexceptone.Helookedalittledifferentashehadbeencastlastofall. Thetinwasshort,sohehadonlyoneleg. Buttherehestood,assteadyononelegasanyoftheothersoldiersontheirtwo. Butjustyousee,he’llbetheremarkableone. 

           Onthetablewiththesoldiersweremanyotherplaythings,andonethatnoeyecouldmisswasamarvelouscastleofcardboard. Ithadlittlewindowsthroughwhichyoucouldlookrightinsideit. Andinfrontofthecastlewereminiaturetreesaroundalittlemirrorsupposedtorepresentalake. Thewaxswansthatswamonitssurfacewerereflectedinthemirror. Allthiswasveryprettybutprettiestofallwasthelittleladywhostoodintheopendoorwayofthecastle. Thoughshewasapaperdoll,sheworeadressofthefluffiestgauze. Atinyblueribbonwentoverhershoulderforascarf,andinthemiddleofitshoneaspanglethatwasasbigasherface.