The tree first recovered itself while being unpacked in the courtyard of a house, with several other trees; and it heard a man say, “We only want one, and this is the prettiest.  This is beautiful!”

Then came two servants in grand livery, and carried the fir tree into a large and beautiful apartment.  Pictures hung on the walls, and near the great stove stood great china vases, with lions on the lids.  There were rocking chairs, silken sofas, large tables covered with pictures, books, and playthings that had cost a hundred times a hundred dollars; at least so said the children.

Then the fir tree was placed in a large tub, full of sand; but green baize hung all around it, so that no one could know it was a tub; and it stood on a very handsome carpet.  Oh, how the fir tree trembled!  What was going to happen to him now?  Some young ladies came in, and the servants helped them to adorn the tree.

On one branch they hung little bags cut out of colored paper, and each bag was filled with sweetmeats.  From other branches hung gilded apples and walnuts, and all around were hundreds of red, blue and white tapers, which were fastened upon the branches.  Dolls, exactly like real men and women, were placed under the green leaves,—­and the tree had never seen such things before,—­and at the top was fastened a glittering star, made of gold tinsel.  Oh, it was very beautiful.  “This evening,” they all exclaimed, “how bright it will be!”

“Oh, that the evening were come,” thought the tree, “and the tapers lighted!  Then I should know what else is going to happen.  Will the trees of the forest come to see me?  Will the sparrows peep in at the windows, I wonder, as they fly?  Shall I grow faster here, and keep on all these ornaments during summer and winter?” But guessing was of very little use.  His back ached with trying; and this pain is as bad for a slender fir tree as headache is for us.

At last the tapers were lighted, and then what a glistening blaze of splendor the tree presented!  It trembled so with joy in all its branches, that one of the candles fell among the green leaves and burnt some of them.  “Help! help!” exclaimed the young ladies; but there was no danger, for they quickly extinguished the fire.

After this the tree tried not to tremble at all, though the fire frightened him, he was so anxious not to hurt any of the beautiful ornaments, even while their brilliancy dazzled him.

And now the folding doors were thrown open, and a troop of children rushed in as if they intended to upset the tree, and were followed more slowly by their elders.  For a moment the little ones stood silent with astonishment, and then they shouted for joy till the room rang; and they danced merrily round the tree, while one present after another was taken from it.

“What are they doing?  What will happen next?” thought the tree.  At last the candles burned down to the branches, and were put out.  Then the children received permission to plunder the tree.