Page 119 - English Class 06

stomping : move foot
hearth : the area around
a fire place
singeing : burning
yowl : cry

“Thank you, thank you, I will come in out of the cold,” said the man, stomping in the
door and taking a seat by the poor excuse for a fire that blazed in the hearth .

The family gathered around the white bearded old fellow as he tried to warm himself.
He scolded them roundly for not keeping the fire hot, and when Claas admitted that they
had nothing left to burn, the old man broke his fine rosewood cane in two and threw it on

the fire. The cane blazed up merrily, heating the whole room and singeing the hair of the
cat, which leapt away with a yowl of indignation , making everyone laugh. It was hard to be
sober around this merry old man, who made sly jokes, told riddles, and sang songs.

After sitting for half an hour with the family, the old man began rubbing his stomach and
gazing wistfully at the cupboard. indignation : wrath
wistfully : longingly
“Might there be a bite to eat for an old man on this Christmas Eve?”
gasped : took breath
he asked Anitje. platter : plate

She blushed in shame and admitted that there was nothing left in their cupboard.

“Nothing?” said he, “Then what about that fine goose right there?”
Anitje gasped , for suddenly the smell of a tenderly roasted goose filled the room. She

ran to the cupboard, and there was a huge goose on a platter . She also found pies and cakes
and bread and many other good things to eat and drink. The little boys and girls shouted in
delight, and the whole family feasted merrily, with the little white bearded old man seated
at the head of the table. As they ate, Claas showed the old man the pipe he meant to sell.

“Why that pipe is a lucky pipe?” said the old man, examining it closely. “Smoked by John
Calvin himself, if I am not mistaken. You should keep this pipe all your days and hand it down

to your children.”

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