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young reindeer with him； whose udders were full； and the children
drank her warm milk and kissed her on the mouth。 Then they carried Kay
and Gerda first to the Finland woman； where they warmed themselves
thoroughly in the hot room； and she gave them directions about their
journey home。 Next they went to the Lapland woman； who had made some
new clothes for them； and put their sleighs in order。 Both the
reindeer ran by their side； and followed them as far as the boundaries
of the country； where the first green leaves were budding。 And here
they took leave of the two reindeer and the Lapland woman； and all
said… Farewell。 Then the birds began to twitter； and the forest too
was full of green young leaves； and out of it came a beautiful
horse； which Gerda remembered； for it was one which had drawn the
golden coach。 A young girl was riding upon it； with a shining red
cap on her head； and pistols in her belt。 It was the little
robber…maiden； who had got tired of staying at home； she was going
first to the north； and if that did not suit her； she meant to try
some other part of the world。 She knew Gerda directly； and Gerda
remembered her： it was a joyful meeting。
〃You are a fine fellow to go gadding about in this way；〃 said
she to little Kay； 〃I should like to know whether you deserve that any
one should go to the end of the world to find you。〃
But Gerda patted her cheeks； and asked after the prince and
princess。
〃They are gone to foreign countries；〃 said the robber…girl。
〃And the crow？〃 asked Gerda。
〃Oh； the crow is dead；〃 she replied； 〃his tame sweetheart is now a
widow； and wears a bit of black worsted round her leg。 She mourns very
pitifully； but it is all stuff。 But now tell me how you managed to get
him back。〃
Then Gerda and Kay told her all about it。
〃Snip； snap； snare！ it's all right at last；〃 said the robber…girl。
Then she took both their hands； and promised that if ever she
should pass through the town； she would call and pay them a visit。 And
then she rode away into the wide world。 But Gerda and Kay went
hand…in…hand towards home； and as they advanced； spring appeared
more lovely with its green verdure and its beautiful flowers。 Very
soon they recognized the large town where they lived； and the tall
steeples of the churches； in which the sweet bells were ringing a
merry peal as they entered it； and found their way to their
grandmother's door。 They went upstairs into the little room； where all
looked just as it used to do。 The old clock was going 〃tick； tick；〃
and the hands pointed to the time of day； but as they passed through
the door into the room they perceived that they were both grown up；
and become a man and woman。 The roses out on the roof were in full
bloom； and peeped in at the window； and there stood the little chairs；
on which they had sat when children； and Kay and Gerda seated
themselves each on their own chair； and held each other by the hand；
while the cold empty grandeur of the Snow Queen's palace vanished from
their memories like a painful dream。 The grandmother sat in God's
bright sunshine； and she read aloud from the Bible； 〃Except ye
become as little children； ye shall in no wise enter into the
kingdom of God。〃 And Kay and Gerda looked into each other's eyes；
and all at once understood the words of the old song；
〃Roses bloom and cease to be；
But we shall the Christ…child see。〃
And they both sat there； grown up； yet children at heart； and it was
summer；… warm； beautiful summer。
THE END
。