THE RED SHOES. 155

 

Karen and the old Soldier.

ings; but the shoes had grown fast to her feet. And she danced
and was compelled to go dancing over field and meadow, in rain
and sunshine, by night and by day; but it was most dreadful at
night.

She danced out into the open churchyard; but the dead there
do not dance; they have far better things to do. She wished to
sit down on the poor man’s grave, where the bitter fern grows;
but there was no peace nor rest for her. And when she danced
towards the open church door, she saw there an angel in long
white garments, with wings that reached from his shoulders to his