And then the tree told the whole story ; it could remember every single word , and the little mice were ready to leap on to the topmost branch out of sheer joy ! Next night many more mice came , and on Sunday even two rats ; but they did not care about the story , and that troubled the little mice , for now they thought less of it too . ` Is that the only story you know ? ' asked the rats . ` The only one , ' answered the tree . ' I heard that on my happiest evening , but I did not realise then how happy I was . ' ` That 's a very poor story . Do n't you know one about bacon or tallow candles ? a storeroom story ? ' ` No , ' said the tree . ` Then we are much obliged to you , ' said the rats , and they went back to their friends . At last the little mice went off also , and the tree said , sighing : ` Really it was very pleasant when the lively little mice sat round and listened whilst I told them stories . But now that 's over too . But now I will think of the time when I shall be brought out again , to keep up my spirits . ' But when did that happen ? Well , it was one morning when they came to tidy up the lumber-room ; they threw it really rather roughly on the floor , but a servant dragged it off at once downstairs , where there was daylight once more . ` Now life begins again ! ' thought the tree . It felt the fresh air , the first rays of the sun , and there it was out in the yard ! Everything passed so quickly ; the tree quite forgot to notice itself , there was so much to look at all around .
The yard opened on a garden full of flowers ; the roses were so fresh and sweet , hanging XXXXX a little trellis , the lime-trees were in blossom , and the swallows flew about , saying : ` Quirre-virre-vil , my husband has come home ; ' but it was not the fir-tree they meant .
At about for in of on over that to whilst