Page:The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (c1899).djvu/28

6 she read its pages, in a pious frame of mind, the wind wafted to her the sounds of the organ from the church, and she raised her tearful countenance, saying: “O Lord, do Thou succour me!”

Then the sun shone brightly, and before her stood God’s angel, in white clothes, such as she had seen him that night near the church door; only he no longer bore the sharp sword in his hand, but held a beautiful green branch, all full of roses; and he touched the ceiling with it, and the ceiling forthwith became lofty; and at the spot where he had touched it shone a golden star. And he touched the walls, and they widened; and she could see the organ that was being played upon. She saw, too, the old pictures of the preachers and their wives, and the congregation sitting on their neat chairs, and singing out of their psalm-books. For the church itself had come to the poor girl in her small chamber, or she had come to it. She sat on a chair, amongst the rest of the preacher’s servants, and when they had finished the psalm, and looked up, they nodded, and said: “That was right of you to come, Karen.”

“It is by the grace of God,” said she.

And the organ pealed forth, and the chorus of children’s voices sounded most sweet and lovely! The bright sunshine shed its warm rays through the window, over the pew where Karen sat; and her heart was so overwhelmed with sunshine, peace, and joy, that it broke; and her soul was carried up to God on a sunbeam, and in Heaven there was no one who asked about the red shoes.

 

AVE you ever seen an old wooden cupboard, quite black with age, and ornamented with carved scrolls and foliage, and nondescript figures? Just such an one stood in a sitting-room; it was a legacy left by the great-grandmother of the family—it was covered from top to bottom with carved roses and tulips. There were the oddest scrolls, out of which peeped little stags’ heads with their antlers. But in the middle of the cupboard was represented the full-length figure of a man; it is, true he was rather ridiculous to look at, and was grinning—for one could not call it laughing—and, moreover, he had goat’s legs, little horns upon his head, and a long beard. The children always called him General-and-Lieutenant-General-Goat-Bandylegs-Field-Sergeant—there’s a name for you! rather difficult to pronounce, certainly, nor are there many who obtain such a title—but to have had him carved was something indeed! However, there he was. He was always looking at the table under the looking-glass, where stood a pretty little china shepherdess.

Her shoes were gilt, and her dress was ornamented with a red rose, besides which she had a golden hat and a crook; she was marvellously pretty to behold. Close by her side stood a little chimney-sweeper, as black as a coal, though likewise of china; he was just as clean and