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The Top and the Ball 70
nd that is almost the same as a betrothal. But one thing I
promise you: I will never forget you!”
« That will be of great use!” said the top, and no more was
then said on the subject.
Next day the ball was taken out. The top saw her fly like a
bird into the air, so high that she could be seen no longer; she
-ame back again, but every time she touched the ground she
sprang higher than before. Either love, or the cork she had in
her body, must have been the cause of this.
The ninth time she did not return, and though the boy sought
and sought, he could not find her ; she was gone.
«1 know well where she is,” sighed the top; “she is in the
swallow’s nest, celebrating her wedding.” The more the top
thought of it, the more beautiful did the ball appear to him;
that she could not be his only made his love the more vehement.
Another had been preferred to him; he could not forget that!
And the top span and hummed, but was always thinking of the
jear ball, who in his imagination grew more and more lovable.
Thus passed several years. There was constant love!
The top was no longer young! One day, however, he was
oilded all over; never before had he looked so handsome. He
was now a gilt top, and span most bravely, humming all the
‘ime : yes, that was famous! But all at once he sprang too high,
and was gone! They sought and sought, even in the cellar;
out he was nowhere to be found.
Where was he?
He had jumped into a barrel full of all sorts of rubbish—
cabbage-stalks, sweepings, dust, and so on—which had fallen in
rom the gutter.
“Alas! here I lie; my gay gilding will soon be spoiled ;
and what sort of trumpery can I have fallen in with?” And he
peeped at a long cabbage-stalk which lay fearfully near him, and
at a strange round thing somewhat like an apple. But it was
not an apple ; it was an old ball, which had lain several years in
the gutter, and was quite soaked through with water.
“Thank goodness! At last I see an equal, with whom I
nay speak,” said the ball, looking fixedly at the gilt top. “Il am
made of real morocco, sewed together by a young lady’s hands,
ri
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