Chapter 9

_Father._ Come, girls! aren't you ready yet? Is your mother coming?

_Katherine._ Yes, father, in just a minute.

_Mother._ Here we are, dear. Don't the girls look sweet?

_Father._ Yes, yes! but, come on, for we are late now.

_Mother._ Good night, Cinderella. Be a good girl and go to bed at nine o'clock.

[_All go out, leaving Cinderella alone._]

_Cinderella._ Good-by!--Now they have gone and I am all alone. Oh, why couldn't I go, too! How pretty they all looked! I would not take up much room, and I don't like to be left here by myself when they are having such a good time. Oh, dear! I believe I'm going to cry, but I can't help it. [_Cries._]

[_Enter fairy godmother._]

_Fairy Godmother._ Why are you crying, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ Who is that? I thought I heard some one speaking to me, but I can't see anybody.

_Fairy Godmother._ What is the matter, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ Oh, _lovely_ lady! who are you?

_Fairy Godmother._ I am your fairy godmother, my child, and I wish to know why you are crying.

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear! I'm crying because they have all gone to the ball; and I wanted to go, too, and they wouldn't take me!

_Fairy Godmother._ Never mind, my dear. Stop crying, and I will let you go.

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear fairy godmamma! will you, really? But how _can_ I go in this old dress?

_Fairy Godmother._ You'll see. Tell me, Cinderella, have you a big yellow pumpkin in the kitchen garden?

_Cinderella._ Yes, I think so. I saw one there yesterday.

_Fairy Godmother._ Go, get it for me.

_Cinderella_ (_runs out, and returns with the pumpkin_). I've found it! Here it is!

_Fairy Godmother._ Yes, that is a fine pumpkin. I'll touch it with my wand. What is it now?

[_The pumpkin is changed to a carriage._]

_Cinderella._ Oh! oh! how lovely! Such a beautiful, big, yellow coach! Why, it is much finer than papa's black carriage.

_Fairy Godmother._ I am glad you like your coach. Now do you think there are any rats in your rat trap?

_Cinderella._ I'll go see. Yes, here is the trap with two big rats in it. What long tails they have!

_Fairy Godmother._ Wait till I touch them with my fairy wand. Now what do you see?

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear godmother! what a wonderful wand to change rats into great handsome horses with long manes and tails! You dear horses! I'll get you some sugar to eat.

_Fairy Godmother._ Don't stop to pet them now, but fetch me the mousetrap.

_Cinderella._ Here it is with two cunning little mice in it. What will you do with them?

_Fairy Godmother._ Touch them with my fairy wand and turn them into a coachman and a footman. See, the coachman is on the box with the reins in his hand, and the footman holds the door open for you. Will you step in, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ In _these_ clothes, dear godmother?

_Fairy Godmother_ (_laughing_). That wouldn't be nice, would it? Well, let us see what my wand can do for you. Now look in the glass and tell me what you see there.

_Cinderella._ Oh, what a pretty lady! Why, I do believe she is myself! What a beautiful dress! And look, dear godmother! see my pretty glass slippers!

_Fairy Godmother._ Yes, my dear, you are all ready for the Prince's ball. I want you to have a happy time, but remember this. You must start for home when the clock strikes twelve or your pretty clothes will change, your coach will turn into a pumpkin, your horses to rats, and you will have to walk home.

_Cinderella._ I'll remember, dear godmother, and run away on the first stroke. Thank you so much! Good-by!

[_Enters the coach and is driven away._]