yes , that is the way of the world ! ' thought the tree , and was sure it must be true , because such a nice man had told the story . ` Well , who knows ? Perhaps I shall fall downstairs and marry a princess . ' And it rejoiced to think that next day it would be decked out again with candles , toys , glittering ornaments , and fruits . ` To-morrow I shall quiver again with excitement . I shall enjoy to the full all my splendour . To-morrow I shall hear Humpty Dumpty again , and perhaps Henny Penny too . ' And the tree stood silent and lost in thought all through the night . Next morning the servants came in . ` Now the dressing up will begin again , ' thought the tree . But they dragged it out of the room , and up the stairs to the lumber-room , and put it in a dark corner , where no ray of light could penetrate . ` What does this mean ? ' thought the tree . ` What am I to do here ? What is there for me to hear ? ' And it leant against the wall , and thought and thought . And there was time enough for that , for days and nights went by , and no one came ; at last when some one did come , it was only to put some great boxes into the corner . Now the tree was quite covered ; it seemed as if it had been quite forgotten . ` Now it is winter out-doors , ' thought the fir-tree .
` The ground is hard and covered XXXXX snow , they ca n't plant me yet , and that is why I am staying here under cover till the spring comes .
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