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and carried him back into the little garden on the banks of the
streamlet； and there stood Joanna； in all her splendor； with the
golden crown on her head； as he had last seen her； to welcome him
back。 And then there appeared before him two remarkable shapes；
which looked much more like human beings than when he had seen them in
his childhood； they were changed； but he remembered that they were the
two gingerbread cakes； the man and the woman； who had shown their best
sides to the world and looked so good。
〃We thank you；〃 they said to Knud； 〃for you have loosened our
tongues； we have learnt from you that thoughts should be spoken
freely； or nothing will come of them； and now something has come of
our thoughts； for we are engaged to be married。〃 Then they walked
away； hand…in…hand； through the streets of Kjoge； looking very
respectable on the best side； which they were quite right to show。
They turned their steps to the church； and Knud and Joanna followed
them； also walking hand…in…hand； there stood the church； as of old；
with its red walls； on which the green ivy grew。
The great church door flew open wide； and as they walked up the
broad aisle； soft tones of music sounded from the organ。 〃Our master
first；〃 said the gingerbread pair； making room for Knud and Joanna。 As
they knelt at the altar； Joanna bent her head over him； and cold；
icy tears fell on his face from her eyes。 They were indeed tears of
ice； for her heart was melting towards him through his strong love；
and as her tears fell on his burning cheeks he awoke。 He was still
sitting under the willow…tree in a strange land； on a cold winter
evening； with snow and hail falling from the clouds； and beating
upon his face。
〃That was the most delightful hour of my life；〃 said he； 〃although
it was only a dream。 Oh； let me dream again。〃 Then he closed his
eyes once more； and slept and dreamed。
Towards morning there was a great fall of snow； the wind drifted
it over him； but he still slept on。 The villagers came forth to go
to church； by the roadside they found a workman seated； but he was
dead！ frozen to death under a willow…tree。
THE END
。