echnist

made　a　low　bow；　and　marched　down　to　the　end　of　the　garden。　He　had　six

attendants　with　him；　each　of　whom　carried　a　lighted　torch　at　the　end　of　a

long　pole。

It　was　certainly　a　magnificent　display。

Whizz！　Whizz！　went　the　Catherine　Wheel；　as　she　spun　round　and

round。　Boom！　Boom！　went　the　Roman　Candle。　Then　the　Squibs

danced　all　over　the　place；　and　the　Bengal　Lights　made　everything　look

scarlet。　〃Good…bye；〃　cried　the　Fire…balloon；　as　he　soared　away；　dropping

tiny　blue　sparks。　Bang！　Bang！　answered　the　Crackers；　who　were

enjoying　themselves　immensely。　Every　one　was　a　great　success　except

the　Remarkable　Rocket。　He　was　so　damp　with　crying　that　he　could　not

go　off　at　all。　The　best　thing　in　him　was　the　gunpowder；　and　that　was　so

wet　with　tears　that　it　was　of　no　use。　All　his　poor　relations；　to　whom　he

would　never　speak；　except　with　a　sneer；　shot　up　into　the　sky　like

wonderful　golden　flowers　with　blossoms　of　fire。　Huzza！　Huzza！　cried

42

The　Happy　Prince　and　Other　Tales

the　Court；　and　the　little　Princess　laughed　with　pleasure。

〃I　suppose　they　are　reserving　me　for　some　grand　occasion；〃　said　the

Rocket；　〃no　doubt　that　is　what　it　means；〃　and　he　looked　more　supercilious

than　ever。

The　next　day　the　workmen　came　to　put　everything　tidy。　〃This　is

evidently　a　deputation；〃　said　the　Rocket；　〃I　will　receive　them　with

being　digni