II.

When this time was over, we all began preparing secretly our presents for Christmas. Every day there was[1] a consultation about the things which should be obtained[2]. It was so arranged that we should interchange presents, but nobody must[3] know beforehand what he would receive. What pleasure there was in all these secret purchases and preparations! Scarcely anything was thought or spoken of but Christmas, and every day the consultations became more numerous and secret. The trees were bought some time before-hand, but as we Americans were to witness the festival for the first time, we were not allowed to see them prepared, in order that the effect might be as great as possible. The market in the Römerberg _Square_ grew constantly larger and more brilliant. Every night it was illuminated with lamps and thronged with people. Quite a forest sprang up in the street before our door. The old stone house opposite, with the traces of so many centuries on its dark face, seemed to stand in the midst of a garden. It was a pleasure to go out every evening and see the children rushing to and fro, shouting and selecting toys from the booths and talking all the time of the Christmas that was so near (S. 48, N. 6). The poor people went with[4] their little presents hid under their cloaks, lest their children might see them; every heart was glad, and every countenance wore a smile of secret pleasure.

Finally, the day before Christmas arrived. The streets were so full, I[5] could scarcely make my way through[6], and the sale of trees went on[7] more rapidly than ever. These were[8] usually branches of pine or fir, set upright[9] in a little miniature garden of moss. When the lamps were lighted at night, our street had the appearance of an illuminated garden. We were prohibited from entering the rooms upstairs in which the grand ceremony was to take place, being obliged[10] to take our seats in those arranged for the guests, and to await with impatience the hour when the “Christkindchen” should call us.

[1] +statt´finden.+

[2] = procured, +an´schaffen+.

[3] = but that nobody should.

[4] went with = had.

[5] = that I.

[6] to make one’s way through, +sich einen Weg durch die Menge bahnen+.

[7] +vonstatten gehen.+

[8] +bestehen (aus).+

[9] +welche ... hineingestellt waren.+

[10] = and were obliged.

_Section 223._

CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY.