The spring passed , and it was the eve of St. John , or Midsummer Day . This was the greatest holiday of the year , when the young girls met in the woods to dance and play . They went to fetch Snowflake , and said to Marie : ` Let her come and dance with us . ' But Marie was afraid ; she could not tell why , only she could not bear the child to go . Snowflake did not wish to go either , but they had no excuse ready . So Marie kissed the girl and said : ` Go , my Snowflake , and be happy with your friends , and you , dear children , be careful of her . You know she is the light of my eyes to me . ' ` Oh , we will take care of her , ' cried the girls gaily , and they ran off to the woods . There they wore wreaths , gathered nosegays , and sang songs some sad , some merry . And whatever they did Snowflake did too . When the sun set they lit a fire of dry grass , and placed themselves in a row , Snowflake being the last of all . ` Now , watch us , ' they said , ` and run just as we do . ' And they all began to sing and to jump one after another across the fire . Suddenly , close behind them , they heard a sigh , then a groan . ` Ah ! ' They turned hastily and looked at each other . There was nothing . They looked again . Where was Snowflake ? She has hidden herself for fun , they thought , and searched for her everywhere .
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Day Marie Snowflake fire nosegays row sigh spring wreaths year