Shivering with cold and hunger she crept along,
a picture of misery, poor little girl!
The snowflakes covered her long fair hair,
which fell in pretty curls over her neck;
but she did not think of that now.
In all the windows lights were shining,
and there was a glorious smell of roast goose,
for it was New Year's Eve. Yes, she thought of that!
In a corner formed by two houses,
one of which projected beyond the other,
she sat down, cowering. She had drawn up her little feet,
but she was still colder, and she did not dare to go home,
for she had sold no matches, and did not bring a farthing of money.
From her father she would certainly receive a beating, and besides,
it was cold at home, for they had nothing over them but a roof through,
which the wind whistled, though the largest rents had been stopped with straw and rags.