“Dear me, how long I have stayed!” said Gerda. “Autumn is come. I must not rest any longer.” And she got up to continue her journey.
Oh, how tender and weary her little feet were! All around it looked so cold and raw; the long willow-leaves were quite yellow, and the fog dripped from them like water; one leaf fell after the other; the sloes only stood full of fruit which set one’s teeth on edge. Oh, how dark and comfortless it was in the dreary world!
FOURTH STORY
The Prince and Princess
Gerda was obliged to rest herself again, when, exactly opposite to her, a large raven came hopping over the white snow. He had long been looking at Gerda and shaking his head; and now he said, “Caw! caw! Good day! good day!” He could not say it better; but he felt a sympathy for the little girl, and asked her where she was going all alone. The world “alone” Gerda understood quite well, and felt how much was expressed by it; so she told the Raven her whole history, and asked if he had not seen Kay.
The Raven nodded very gravely, and said, “It may be—it may be!”
“What! do you really think so?” cried the little girl; and she nearly squeezed the Raven to death, so much did she kiss him.
“Gently, gently,” said the Raven. “I think I know; I think that it may be little Kay. But now he has forgotten you for the Princess.”
“Does he live with a princess?” asked Gerda.
“Yes,—listen,” said the Raven; “but it will be difficult for me to speak your language. If you understand the Raven language, I can tell you better.”