in, and then he forgot all about little
Gerda, his grandmother, and everybody at home.

'Now I must not kiss you any more,' she said, 'or else I should kiss you
to death.'

Then away they flew over forests and lakes, over sea and land. Round
them whistled the cold wind, the wolves howled, and the snow hissed;
over them flew the black shrieking crows. But high up the moon shone
large and bright, and thus Kay passed the long winter night. In the day
he slept at the Snow-queen's feet.

But what happened to little Gerda when Kay did not come back?

What had become of him? Nobody knew. The other boys told how they had
seen him fasten his sledge on to a large one which had driven out of the
town gate.

Gerda cried a great deal. The winter was long and dark to her.

Then the spring came with warm sunshine. 'I will go and look for Kay,'
said Gerda.

So she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was there.
Presently the stream began to carry it away.

'Perhaps the river will take me to Kay,' thought Gerda. She glided down,
past trees and fields, till she came to a large cherry garden, in which
stood a little house with strange red and blue windows and a straw roof.
Before the door stood two wooden soldiers, who were shouldering arms.

Gerda called to them, but they naturally did not answer. The river
carried the boat on to the land.

Gerda called out still louder, and there came out of the house a very
old woman. She leant upon a crutch, and she wore a large sun-hat which
was painted with the most beautiful flowers.

'You poor little girl!' said the old woman.

And then she stepped into the water, brought the boat in close with her
crutch, and lifted little Gerda out.

'And now come and tell me who you are, and how you came here,' she said.

Then Gerda told her everything, and asked her if she had seen Kay. But
she said he had not passed that way yet, but he would soon come.

She told Gerda not to be sad, and that she should stay with her and take
of the cherry trees and flowers, which were better than any picture-bok,
as they could each tell a story.

She then took Gerda's hand and led her into the little house and shut
the door.

The windows were very high, and the panes were red, blue, and yellow,
so that the light came through in curious colours. On the table were the
most delicious cherries, and the old woman let Gerda eat as many as she
liked, while she combed her hair with a gold comb