Page:The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (c1899).djvu/27

Rh “Come out—come out. I cannot come in, for I am obliged to dance.”

And the executioner said:

“Do you not know who I am? It is I who strike off wicked men’s heads, and I perceive that my axe now clinks.”

“Do not strike off my head,” said Karen. “for then I shall not be able to repent of my sins. But strike my feet off, that I may get rid of my red shoes.”

And she then confessed her sins, and the executioner struck off her red shoes only, though it gave her as sharp a pang as if her toes had come off with them. And away the shoes danced, across the fields, and into the depths of the forest.

He then gave her crutches, for she felt unable to walk, and taught her the psalm that penitents sing, and she kissed the hand that had directed the axe, and went away across the heath.

“I have now suffered enough for the red shoes,” said she; “so now I will go to church, that people may see me.” And she hobbled up to the church door, but had no sooner reached it, than the red shoes danced before her, and frightened her back.

She was in deep affliction that whole week, and shed many bitter tears; but when Sunday came round again, she said: “I have now suffered and struggled enough! I believe I am quite as good as many of those who are sitting at church, and bridling up.” And she sallied boldly forth, but she reached no farther than the churchyard gate; for she saw the red shoes dancing before her, and was so frightened that she turned back, and heartily repented of her sins.

She then went to the parsonage, and begged, as a favour, to be taken into the family’s service, promising to be diligent, and to do everything she could. She did not care about wages; all she wanted was to have a roof over her head, and to be with good people. The preacher’s wife felt compassion for her, and took her into her service; and she proved very industrious and very thoughtful. She sat and listened with deep attention when the preacher read the Bible aloud in the evening. All the children made much of her; but when they spoke of dress, or finery, or beauty, she would then shake her head.

On the following Sunday they all went to church, and they asked her if she would accompany them; but she looked at her crutches with tearful eyes. And so the others went forth to listen to the Word of God, while she repaired alone to her little chamber, that was only just large enough to contain a bed and a chair. And here she sat down with her psalm-book in her hand; and as