Page:Fairy tales and stories (Andersen, Tegner).djvu/205

Rh dear, little Gerda! Where have you been so long? And where have I heenr" And lie Umked all around Iiini. "How cold it is here! How great and eniptv it all seems here!" And he clung to Gerda, while she laughed and cried tor joy. Their delight was so great that even the blocks oi' ice began to dance about for joy, and when they were tired and settled down they formed themselves into the very word which the Snow Queen had said that he must find out if he were to become his own master, and that she would then make him a present of the whole world and a pair of new skates.

And Gerda kissed his cheeks and their bloom came back again ; she kissed his eves and they shone like her own ; she kissed his hands and feet and he became hale and hearty. The Snow Queen might return when she chose; his warrant ot release sttH)d written there in sparkling blocks of ice.

And they took each other by the hand and wandered out of the great castle; they talked of grandmother and of the roses on the roof, and wherever they went the winds lay down to rest, and the sun shone forth. When they came to the bush with the red berries they found the reindeer waiting for them ; he had a young reindeer cow with him, whose udders were full of milk; she gave the young folks a warm drink, and kissed them on the mouth. They then carried Kav and Gerda, first to the FinwiMnan, where they warmed themselves in her hot room and where they got to know everything about the journey home; then to the Lap- woman, who had made new clothes tor them and got her sledge ready for them.

And the two reindeer ran side by side and accompanied them to the border ot the district ; here the first green shoots were to be seen, and here they took leave of the reindeer and the Lapwoman, and they all said, "Farewell." And then the first little bird began to twitter, and the forest was full of green shoots. Out of the forest came a young girl with a bright red cap on her head and pistols in front of her, riding on a beauti- ful horse, which Gerda knew at once; it was one of the team which had been harnessed to the golden coach. It was the little robber girl, who had got tired of staying at home, and was now going first to the North, and afterward in some other direction if it was not to her liking; she knew Gerda at once and Gerda knew her, and they were both delighted. "You are a nice fellow to be running after!" she said to little Kay; " I should like to know whether you deserve that anybody should run to the end of the world for your sake!" But Gerda patted her cheeks and asked about the prince and princess.

"They have gone to foreign lands," said the robber girl.

"And where is the crow?" asked little Gerda.

"The crow is dead," she answered. "The tame sweetheart is now a widow and goes about with a bit of black worsted round her leg, com-