hts. Court people and fine
folks were walking about on bare feet; it was all very solemn. His boots
creaked, too, very loudly; but still he was not at all afraid."

"That's Kay, for certain," said Gerda. "I know he had on new boots; I
have heard them creaking in grandmamma's room."

"Yes, they creaked," said the Crow. "And on he went boldly up to the
Princess, who was sitting on a pearl as large as a spinning-wheel. All
the ladies of the court stood about, with their maids and their maids'
maids, and all the gentlemen with their servants and their servants'
servants, who kept a boy; and the nearer they stood to the door, the
prouder they looked. The boy of the servants' servants, who always goes
in slippers, hardly looked at one, so very proudly did he stand in
the doorway."

"It must have been terrible," said little Gerda. "And did Kay get the
Princess?"

"Were I not a Crow, I should have taken the Princess myself, although I
am engaged. It is said he spoke as well as I speak when I talk crow
language; this I learned from my tame sweetheart. He was bold and nicely
behaved; he had not come to woo the Princess, but only to hear her
wisdom. She pleased him and he pleased her."

"Yes, yes, for certain that was Kay," said Gerda. "He was so clever; he
could do sums with fractions. Oh, won't you take me to the palace?"

"That is very easily said," answered the Crow. "But how are we to manage
it? I'll speak to my tame sweetheart about it; she can tell us what to
do; for so much I must tell you, such a little girl as you are will
never get leave to go in the common way."

"Oh, yes, I shall," said Gerda: "when Kay hears that I am here, he will
come out at once to fetch me."

"Wait for me here on these steps," said the Crow. He wagged his head and
flew away.

When it grew dark the Crow came back. "Caw! caw!" said he. "I bring you
a great many good wishes from her; and here is a bit of bread for you.
She took it out of the kitchen, where there is bread enough, and you are
hungry, no doubt. It is not possible for you to enter the palace, for
you are barefoot; the guards in silver and the lackeys in gold would not
allow it: but do not cry, you shall come in still. My sweetheart knows a
little back stair that leads to the chamber, and she knows where she can
get the key of it."

And they went into the garden by the broad path, where one leaf was
falling after the other; and when the lights in the palace were all put
out,