The Shirt-collar Translated from the German of Hans Andersen . There was once a fine gentleman whose entire worldly possessions consisted of a boot-jack and a hair-brush ; but he had the most beautiful shirt-collar in the world , and it is about this that we are going to hear a story . The shirt-collar was so old that he began to think about marrying ; and it happened one day that he and a garter came into the wash-tub together . ` Hulloa ! ' said the shirt-collar , ` never before have I seen anything so slim and delicate , so elegant and pretty ! May I be permitted to ask your name ? ' ' I sha n't tell you , ' said the garter . ` Where is the place of your abode ? ' asked the shirt-collar . But the garter was of a bashful disposition , and did not think it proper to answer . ` Perhaps you are a girdle ? ' said the shirt-collar , ` an under girdle ? for I see that you are for use as well as for ornament , my pretty miss ! ' ` You ought not to speak to me ! ' said the garter ' ` I 'm sure I have n't given you any encouragement ! ' ` When anyone is as beautiful as you , ' said the shirt-collar , ` is not that encouragement enough ? ' ` Go away , do n't come so close ! ' said the garter . ` You seem to be a gentleman ! ' ` So I am , and a very fine one too ! '
said the shirt-collar ; ' I possess a XXXXX and a hair-brush ! '
Andersen May Translated abode boot-jack day hair-brush shirt-collar story wash-tub