* * * * * * *
knew window fire
money even pile
Gretchen got colder and colder.
She was afraid to go home. She knew her papa would whip her, if she
did not take some money to him.
It was as cold at home as in the street. They were too poor to have
a fire. They had to put rags in the windows to keep out the wind.
Gretchen did not even have a bed. She had to sleep on a pile of rags.
* * * * * * *
frozen candle sitting
lighted thought stove
near think step
She sat down on a door step.
[Illustration: GRETCHEN ON THE DOOR STEP.]
Her little hands were almost frozen.
She took a match and lighted it to warm her hands. The match looked
like a little candle.
Gretchen thought she was sitting by a big stove. It was so bright.
She put the match near her feet, to warm them. Then the light went
out. She did not think that she was by the stove any more.
* * * * * * *
another dishes roast
table cloth ready
fork knife turkey
Gretchen lighted another match.
Now she thought she could look into a room. In this room was a table.
A white cloth and pretty dishes were on the table. There was a roast
turkey, too. It was cooked and ready to eat. The knife and fork were
in his back. The turkey jumped from the dish and ran to the little
girl.
The light went out and she was in the cold and dark again.
Christmas candles
many until
Gretchen lighted another match. Then she thought she was sitting by
a Christmas tree. Very many candles were on the tree. It was full
of pretty things.
Gretchen put up her little hands. The light went out.
The lights on the Christmas tree went up, up--until she saw they
were the stars.
* * * * * * *
grandma never before
dying going been
Then she saw a star fall.
"Some one is dying," said little Gretchen.
Her grandma had been very good to the little girl. But she was dead.