CHRISTMAS IN HOLLAND

 It is Christmas Eve. Jan and Katrina have taken off their wooden shoes. They have scrubbed them white as snow, and they have set them down by the fireplace.

“We must not forget the white horse,” says Jan.

So, near by, they have placed a pretty red and yellow basket. In it are some carrots, some hay, and some oats. They are for the white horse of St. Nicholas.

Mother tucks the children in their funny Dutch beds in the wall.

They look very snug¹ and warm. Their round cheeks are very red and their eyes are very bright.

 

“I hope St. Nicholas will not leave me a switch, Mother,” says Jan.

“O, I hope not,” says Katrina. “You do not think he will, do you, Mother?”

Mother smiles and shakes her head: “I cannot tell, my little ones,” she says. “Go to sleep now, and in the morning we shall see.”

So Jan and Katrina turn their faces to the wall. They cuddle up in their warm feather beds and go to sleep.

1 snug   

adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房

参考例句：

• He showed us into a snug little sitting room.他领我们走进了一间温暖而舒适的小客厅。
• She had a small but snug home.她有个小小的但很舒适的家。