Page 120 - English Class 06

Finally, the church bells tolled midnight, and the little old man cried: “Midnight! I must

be off” Claas and Anitje begged him to stay and spend Christmas with them, but, he just
smile merrily at them and strode over to the chimney. “A Merry Christmas to you all, and a
Happy New Year!” he cried. And then he disappeared. Ever afterwards, Anitje and her
daughters claimed they saw him go straight up the chimney, while Claas and the boys

thought he kicked up the ashes and disappeared out the door.
The next morning, when Anitje was sweeping the fireplace, she found a huge bag full of

silver bearing the words “A gift from Saint Nicholas”. Outside the house, there arose a
clamor of voices. When Claas and Anitje went to investigate, they discovered their wooden
house was now made of brick!

tolled : rang
strode : walked
clamor : shout
league : pact

At first, the town’s folk thought they were in league with wizard, but when claas told
them the story and showed them the new possessions and riches left to them by the old

man, they made him the town alderman.

The transformed “Dutch House” remained a landmark for many years following the
death of Class and Anitje, until the British tore it down to make way for improvements in the
neighborhood.

English-6 120