《安徒生童话英文版》第152章

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　　"'Yes, of course,' said the matches, 'let us talk about thosewho are the highest born.'

　　"'No, I don't like to be always talking of what we are,'remarked the saucepan; 'let us think of some other amusement; I willbegin. We will tell something that has happened to ourselves; thatwill be very easy, and interesting as well. On the Baltic Sea, nearthe Danish shore'- "'What a pretty commencement!' said the plates; 'we shall alllike that story, I am sure.'

　　"'Yes; well in my youth, I lived in a quiet family, where thefurniture was polished, the floors scoured, and clean curtains putup every fortnight,'

　　"'What an interesting way you have of relating a story,' saidthe carpet-broom; 'it is easy to perceive that you have been a greatdeal in women's society, there is something so pure runs throughwhat you say.'

　　"'That is quite true,' said the water-bucket; and he made a springwith joy, and splashed some water on the floor.

　　"Then the saucepan went on with his story, and the end was as goodas the beginning.

　　"The plates rattled with pleasure, and the carpet-broom broughtsome green parsley out of the dust-hole and crowned the saucepan,for he knew it would vex the others; and he thought, 'If I crown himto-day he will crown me to-morrow.'

　　"'Now, let us have a dance,' said the fire-tongs; and then howthey danced and stuck up one leg in the air. The chair-cushion inthe corner burst with laughter when she saw it.

　　"'Shall I be crowned now?' asked the fire-tongs; so the broomfound another wreath for the tongs.

　　"'They were only common people after all,' thought the matches.The tea-urn was now asked to sing, but she said she had a cold, andcould not sing without boiling heat. They all thought this wasaffectation, and because she did not wish to sing excepting in theparlor, when on the table with the grand people.

　　"In the window sat an old quill-pen, with which the maid generallywrote. There was nothing remarkable about the pen, excepting that ithad been dipped too deeply in the ink, but it was proud of that.

　　"'If the tea-urn won't sing,' said the pen, 'she can leave italone; there is a nightingale in a cage who can sing; she has not beentaught much, certainly, but we need not say anything this eveningabout that.'

　　"'I think it highly improper,' said the tea-kettle, who waskitchen singer, and half-brother to the tea-urn, 'that a richforeign bird should be listened to here. Is it patriotic? Let themarket-basket decide what is right.'

　　"'I certainly am vexed,' said the basket; 'inwardly vexed, morethan any one can imagine. Are we spending the evening properly?Would it not be more sensible to put the house in order? If eachwere in his own place I would lead a game; this would be quite anotherthing.'

　　"'Let us act a play,' said they all. At the same moment the dooropened, and the maid came in. Then not one stirred; they allremained quite still; yet, at the same time, there was not a singlepot amongst them who had not a high opinion of himself, and of what hecould do if he chose.

　　"'Yes, if we had chosen,' they each thought, 'we might havespent a very pleasant evening.'

　　"The maid took the matches and lighted them; dear me, how theysputtered and blazed up!

　　"'Now then,' they thought, 'every one will see that we are thefirst. How we shine; what a light we give!' Even while they spoketheir light went out.

　　"What a capital story," said the queen, "I feel as if I werereally in the kitchen, and could see the matches; yes, you shall marryour daughter."

　　"Certainly," said the king, "thou shalt have our daughter." Theking said thou to him because he was going to be one of the family.The wedding-day was fixed, and, on the evening before, the wholecity was illuminated. Cakes and sweetmeats were thrown among thepeople. The street boys stood on tiptoe and shouted "hurrah," andwhistled between their fingers; altogether it was a very splendidaffair.

　　"I will give them another treat," said the merchant's son. So hewent and bought rockets and crackers, and all sorts of fire-works thatcould be thought of, packed them in his trunk, and flew up with itinto the air. What a whizzing and popping they made as they wentoff!