And the old lady gave the soldier an alms, and went into the church with
Karen.
And all the people in the church looked at Karen's red shoes, and all
the pictures; and as Karen knelt before the altar and raised the cup to
her lips, she only thought of the red shoes, and they seemed to swim in
it; and she forgot to sing her psalm, and she forgot to pray, "Our
Father, who art in heaven!"
Now all the people went out of the church, and the old lady got into the
carriage. Karen raised her foot to get in after her, when the old
soldier said--
"Look, what beautiful dancing-shoes!"
And Karen could not help dancing a step or two, and when she began, her
feet continued to dance; it was just as if the shoes had power over
them. She danced round the church-corner, she could not leave off; the
coachman was obliged to run after and catch hold of her, and he lifted
her into the carriage, but her feet continued to dance, so that she trod
on the old lady dreadfully. At length she took off the shoes, and then
her legs had peace.
The shoes were placed in a closet at home, but Karen could not help
looking at them.
CHAPTER SECOND.
KAREN GROWS VAIN OF HER RED SHOES, AND IS FORCED TO DANCE OVER THE
FIELDS, ACROSS THE BRIDGES, AND EVERY-WHERE.
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