Section 153. NEW-YEAR’S EVE. II.
Reading edition
She drew one out—“Ritsh!” how it sputtered[1] and burned! It burned with a warm, bright flame, like a candle, and she bent her hand round it (S. 4, N. 5, B), it was a wonderful light! It appeared to the little girl as if she were sitting[2] before a large iron stove, in which the fire burned brightly, and[3] gave out such comfort and such warmth. She stretched out her feet to warm them, too—but the flame went[4] out, the stove disappeared, and there she sat, still holding[5] a little bit of the burnt-out[4] match in her (S. 43, N. 9, A) hand.
Another was[6] lighted; it burned, and, where[7] the light fell upon the wall, that[8] became transparent, so that she could see into the room. There the table was covered with a cloth of dazzling white, and with fine china; and a roast goose was smoking most[9] temptingly upon it. But what was still more delightful, the goose sprang down from the table, and[10], with a knife and (S. 10, N. 9) fork sticking in its[11] back, waddled towards the little girl. Then[12] the match went out[4], and she saw nothing but the thick, cold wall.
She lighted a third one (S. 67, N. 3); and now she was sitting under the most splendid Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated[13] than the one (S. 16, N. 10) she had seen at Christmas[14] through the window at[15] the rich merchant’s. Hundreds of[16] tapers were burning amongst the green branches, and painted[17] pictures, such[18] as she had seen in the shop-windows, looked down upon her. She stretched out[19] both her hands, when the match was burnt[4] out,—