Goldilocks had been carried off by Aunt Jo , to the great amazement of her papa , who quite outdid Mr. Bhaer in acting wonder , suspense , and wild impatience to know `` what was going to happen . '' At last , after much rustling , hammering , and very audible directions from the stage manager , the curtain rose to soft music , and Bess was discovered sitting on a stool beside a brown paper fire-place . A dearer little Cinderella was never seen ; for the gray gown was very ragged , the tiny shoes all worn , the face so pretty under the bright hair , and the attitude so dejected , it brought tears , as well as smiles , to the fond eyes looking at the baby actress . She sat quite still , till a voice whispered , `` Now ! '' then she sighed a funny little sigh , and said , `` Oh I wish I tood go to the ball ! '' so naturally , that her father clapped frantically , and her mother called out , `` Little darling ! '' These highly improper expressions of feeling caused Cinderella to forget herself , and shake her head at them , saying , reprovingly , `` You must n't ` peak to me . '' Silence instantly prevailed , and three taps were heard on the wall . Cinderella looked alarmed , but before she could remember to say , `` What is dat ? '' the back of the brown paper fire-place opened like a door , and , with some difficulty , the fairy godmother got herself and her pointed hat through . It was Nan , in a red cloak , a cap , and a wand , which she waved as she said decidedly , `` You shall go to the ball , my dear . '' `` Now you must pull and show my pretty dress , '' returned Cinderella , tugging at her brown gown . `` No , no ; you must say , ` How can I go in my rags ? ' '' said the godmother in her own voice . `` Oh yes , so I mus ' ; '' and the Princess said it , quite undisturbed by her forgetfulness . `` I change your rags into a splendid dress , because you are good , '' said the godmother in her stage tones ; and deliberately unbuttoning the brown pinafore , she displayed a gorgeous sight . The little Princess really was pretty enough to turn the heads of any number of small princes , for her mamma had dressed her like a tiny court lady , in a rosy silk train with satin under-skirt , and bits of bouquets here and there , quite lovely to behold . The godmother put a crown , with pink and white feathers drooping from it , on her head , and gave her a pair of silver paper slippers , which she put on , and then stood up , lifting her skirts to show them to the audience , saying , with pride , `` My dlass ones , ai n't they pitty ? '' She was so charmed with them , that she was with difficulty recalled to her part , and made to say , `` But I have no toach , Dodmother . '' `` Behold it ! ''
and XXXXX waved her wand with such a flourish , that she nearly knocked off the crown of the Princess .
Bhaer Cinderella Dodmother Goldilocks Nan Princess dat fire-place pinafore under-skirt