Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savory smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve- yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags.
Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out-"scratch!" how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. (to be continued...) 從每扇窗子透出的亮光和飄出的烤鵝肉香味，使她想起的只是今天是除夕之夜。街邊一前一後坐落着兩座房子，形成一個小牆角，她蜷縮在那裏。她把一雙小腳捲縮到身下，可還是不覺得暖和。她也不敢回家，因爲她還沒有賣掉一根火柴，沒有掙到一個銅板，她的父親一定會因此而打她；況且她家幾乎和大街上一樣冷。雖然屋頂上幾個較大的裂口用草和破布堵住了，可風和雪還是不時地灌進屋裏來。 她那雙小手都快凍僵了。啊！如果她能從這捆火柴中取出一根，在牆上划着了就會好一些，也就可以暖手。於是她抽出了一根。哧！火柴燃起來了，冒出了火苗。當她雙手覆在上面時，它變成了一朵光明、溫暖的火焰，好像一根小蠟燭。多美的光啊。小姑娘覺得自己象坐在一個大火爐旁邊，鐵爐鑲有錚亮的黃銅花邊和底座。 （未完待續...）
