"Pooh!" sniffed Matilda.

"I just wish you could take my place and know the happiness that is in
my heart tonight," Katrinka smiled.

"I just wish you could take my place and know the unhappiness that is in
my heart tonight!" said Matilda, "You would see that a lot of children
screeching about the house with all their presents could not bring me
happiness!"

Katrinka thought a moment, "I have it, Matilda! We will change places!
You must live in my house and pretend that you are me, and I will live
in your house and pretend that I am you! And you must smile and be
friendly just as I would do."

After a great deal of coaxing, Matilda finally agreed that she would
change places with Katrinka and try to smile when anyone came to see
her.

"But only for three days!" she said.

So Matilda went over to Katrinka's cottage and went to bed and Katrinka
stayed in Matilda's cottage, but she did not go to bed.

Instead she went all over the house and tidied everything up and placed
pretty white curtains at the windows. In the morning neighbors came to
Katrinka's house, and Matilda, taking Katrinka's place met them with
a smile, and soon in spite of herself she was laughing and enjoying
herself.