Through the fire (1)

Through the fire (1)

LITTLE Jack sat alone by the fire. He was seven years old, but so small and pale that he looked little more than five.

He had no brothers or sisters, and he was nearly always alone, for his mother, who was a widow, went out all day to teach music, and often in the evening also play at children's parties.

They lived on the third floor of a small house in a dull old street in London in Victorian times.

Tonight he felt sadder than usual, for it was Christmas Eve, and his mother had gone to a child's party.

" It's a shame, " he said, and the tears rose to his eyes.
" A dreadful shame. I think it's too bad ! " and he seized the poker and gave the fire a great dig.



" For pity's sake, don't do that again, " said a small voice from the flames ; " it's enough to break one to bits. "

Jack stopped crying and looked into the fire. There he saw a little figure, the strangest he had ever beheld, balancing itself skilfully on the top of a piece of burning coal.

(1/15) 
Mary De Morgan（24 February 1850 – 1907) さんの作品です。
主人公はJack少年ですが、火の妖精、火の国などが登場します。
※Through the fire　です。