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During the long long day of the 24th of December, the children of Dr. Stahlbaum were not permitted to enter the parlor, much less the adjoining drawing room.

Fredric and Maria sat nestled together in a corner of the back chamber, dusky twilight had come on and they felt quite gloomy and fearful.

For as was commonly the case on this day, no light was brought into them.

Fred, in great secrecy and in a whisper, informed his little sister she was only just seven years old.

But ever since morning, he had heard a rustling and a rattling, and now and then a gentle knocking in the forbidden chambers.

Not long ago also he had seen a little dark man with a large chest under his arm, gliding softly through the entry,

but he knew very well that it was nobody, but Godfather Drosselmayer.

Upon this Maria clapped her little hands together for joy and exclaimed,

ah, what beautiful things has Godfather Drosselmayer made for us this time?

Ooh, you know, after reading the Sandman, any guy who makes stuff and an ETA Hoffman story makes me very uncomfortable.

I'm more uncomfortable with, you know, in the paragraph it says Maria is seven years old.

Fred's little sister doesn't mention Fred's age because he's 35.

That's not true.

That's not true.

It's the holiday season, everybody.

Yes.

And that was the opening paragraph of the Nutcracker and the mouse king by ETA Hoffman.

We are getting in the holiday spirit with this novella all month long.

Have yourself a frightening little Christmas.

Very scary solstice, a horrific Hanukkah or a creepy Quanta.

Whatever you do this time of year, we want it to be good for you.

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