The Night Before Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

moonlight; the air was a transparent silvery mist. One could see everything that was happening in the sky: a wizard racing in his cauldron, stars playing hide-and-seek, a group of ghosts hanging together like a cloud, a devil dancing in the moonlight, a broomstick returning home after transporting a witch . . . All kinds of riffraff flew past them. Every creature slowed down to take a look at the blacksmith riding a devil, then continued on its way. Suddenly they saw a whole ocean of light—they had reached St. Petersburg. On approaching the city gate the devil turned into a magnificent mount, and Vakula rode horseback into the capital.

    Oh dear, what noise, what light! Enormous four-story buildings lined the streets, trapping the noise from hooves and wheels; bridges shook under the carts and carriages; footmen and drivers screamed at each other; snow screeched under countless sleds; terrified pedestrians clung to the sidewalks, and their gigantic shadows danced on the walls, reaching thechimneys.The stunned blacksmith stood gaping, feeling every building watch him with fiery eyes. He saw so many gentlemen in expensive fur coats that he didn’t know when to tip his hat. “My God, how many gentlemen and ladies—look at all that fur and broadcloth; everyone who wears them must be at least a senator. And those who ride in those wondrous carriages with glass windows must be, if not mayors, then at least police chiefs.” The devil interrupted Vakula’s reflections: did Vakula intend to proceed directly to the Tsarina? “Lord help me, no . . . Somewhere in the city must be the delegation of Zaporozhian Cossacks who passed through Dikanka in the fall. I’d better ask them for counsel.
    â€œClimb into my pocket and take me to the Zaporozhian delegation,” Vakula ordered the devil. Instantly, the devil shrank and disappeared into Vakula’s pocket; without knowing how, Vakula found himself in front of a large building and then in a gleaming room, where on the couches along the walls were sitting the Zaporozhian delegates, puffing on the strongest homegrown tobacco. Vakula bowed. “God bless you, gentlemen, what a joy to see you again!”
    The delegates didn’t recognize him at first. “It’s me, Vakula the blacksmith from Dikanka, remember? You stayed with us for two days, may the Lord send you prosperity in everything. I changed the tire on your front wheel.”
    â€œAh, it’s that blacksmith who paints prettily. Well, brother, what brings you here?”
    â€œWanted to take a look. They say in St. Petersburg . . .”
    â€œCity big, eh?” the same Cossack interrupted Vakula, showing off his Russian, but Vakula held his ground. “City big, sure,” he answered in the same language. “Huts all big, pictures, too, letters on signs all gold to the extreme. Wondrous proportion!”
    The delegates were impressed with Vakula’s fluency in the imperial language. “Well, we’ll chat later; right now we must go see the Tsarina.”
    â€œThe Tsarina? Be kind, dear sirs, and take me with you.”
    â€œYou? To see the Tsarina? No, we can’t. The Tsarina will be talking business with us,” and the Cossack’s face assumed an expression of mysterious importance.
    â€œDo it,” Vakula whispered to the devil, slapping his pocket.
    â€œLet’s take him, fellows, why not?”
    â€œThat’s right, why not?”
    â€œCome, put on a
zupan
like ours.”
    Vakula threw on a green Zaporozhian
zupan
, and a moment later a splendid footman announced that it was time to go. What a wonder it was to Vakula to ride in an enormous carriage on rubber tires with four-story buildings flying by. And the light! In Dikanka during the day they didn’t have so much light. Finally the carriage stopped in front of the palace. The Cossacks stepped into a magnificent foyer and ascended an equally