said she; "I shallnot be happy till we are really out in the world."
  Then he comforted her, and showed her how to place her little footon the carved edge and gilt-leaf ornaments of the table. He broughthis little ladder to help her, and so they contrived to reach thefloor. But when they looked at the old cupboard, they saw it was allin an uproar. The carved stags pushed out their heads, raised theirantlers, and twisted their necks. The major-general sprung up in theair; and cried out to the old Chinaman, "They are running away! theyare running away!" The two were rather frightened at this, so theyjumped into the drawer of the window-seat. Here were three or fourpacks of cards not quite complete, and a doll's theatre, which hadbeen built up very neatly. A comedy was being performed in it, and allthe queens of diamonds, clubs, and hearts,, and spades, sat in thefirst row fanning themselves with tulips, and behind them stood allthe knaves, showing that they had heads above and below as playingcards generally have. The play was about two lovers, who were notallowed to marry, and the shepherdess wept because it was so likeher own story. "I cannot bear it," said she, "I must get out of thedrawer;" but when they reached the floor, and cast their eyes on thetable, there was the old Chinaman awake and shaking his whole body,till all at once down he came on the floor, "plump." "The old Chinamanis coming," cried the little shepherdess in a fright, and down shefell on one knee.
  "I have thought of something," said the chimney-sweep; "let us getinto the great pot-pourri jar which stands in the corner; there we canlie on rose-leaves and lavender, and throw salt in his eyes if hecomes near us."
  "No, that will never do," said she, "because I know that theChinaman and the pot-pourri jar were lovers once, and there alwaysremains behind a feeling of good-will between those who have been sointimate as that. No, there is nothing left for us but to go outinto the wide world."
  "Have you really courage enough to go out into the wide world withme?" said the chimney-sweep; "have you thought how large it is, andthat we can never come back here again?"
  "Yes, I have," she replied.
  When the chimney-sweep saw that she was quite firm, he said, "Myway is through the stove and up the chimney. Have you courage to creepwith me through the fire-box, and the iron pipe? When we get to thechimney I shall know how to manage very well. We shall soon climbtoo high for any one to reach us, and we shall come through a holein the top out into the wide world." So he led her to the door ofthe stove.
  "It looks very dark," said she; still she went in with him throughthe stove and through the pipe, where it was as dark as pitch.
  "Now we are in the chimney," said he; "and look, there is abeautiful star shining above it." It was a real star shining down uponthem as if it would show them the way. So they clambered, and crepton, and a frightful steep place it was; but the chimney-sweep helpedher and supported her, till they got higher and higher. He showedher the best places on which to set her little china foot, so atlast they reached the top of the chimney, and sat themselves down, forthey were very tired, as may be supposed. The sky, with all its stars,was over their heads, and below were the roofs of the town. They couldsee for a very long distance out into the wide world, and the poorlittle shepherdess leaned her head on her chimney-sweep's shoulder,and wept till she washed the gilt off her sash; the world was sodifferent to what she expected. "This is too much," she said; "Icannot bear it, the world is too large. Oh, I wish I were safe back onthe table. again, under the looking glass; I shall never be happy tillI am safe back again. Now I have followed you out into the wide world,you will take me back, if you love me."
  Then the chimney-sweep tried to reason with her, and spoke ofthe old Chinaman, and of the Major-general-field-sergeant-commanderBilly-goat's legs; but she sobbed so bitterly, and kissed her littlechimney-sweep till he was obliged to do all she asked, foolish as itwas. And so, with a great deal of trouble, they climbed down thechimney, and then crept through the pipe and stove, which werecertainly not very pleasant places. Then they stood in the darkfire-box, and listened behind the door, to hear what was going on inthe room. As it was all quiet, they peeped out. Alas!