said the old woman, “how did you manage to come all this distance into the
wide world on such a rapid rolling stream?” And then the old woman
walked in the water, seized the boat with her crutch, drew it to land, and
lifted Gerda out. And Gerda was glad to feel herself on dry ground,
although she was rather afraid of the strange old woman. “Come and tell me
who you are,” said she, “and how came you here.”
Then Gerda told her everything, while the old woman shook her head,
and said, “Hem-hem;” and when she had finished, Gerda asked if she had
not seen little Kay, and the old woman told her he had not passed by that
way, but he very likely would come. So she told Gerda not to be sorrowful,
but to taste the cherries and look at the flowers; they were better than any
picture-book, for each of them could tell a story. Then she took Gerda by
the hand and led her into the little house, and the old woman closed the
door. The windows were very high, and as the panes were red, blue, and
yellow, the daylight shone through them in all sorts of singular colors. On
the table stood beautiful cherries, and Gerda had permission to eat as many
as she would. While she was eating them the old woman combed out her
long flaxen ringlets with a golden comb, and the glossy curls hung down on
each side of the little round pleasant face, which looked fresh and blooming
as a rose. “I have long been wishing for a dear little maiden like you,” said
the old woman, “and now you must stay with me, and see how happily we
shall live together.” And while she went on combing little Gerda’s hair, she
thought less and less about her adopted brother Kay, for the old woman
could conjure, although she was not a wicked witch; she conjured only a
little for her own amusement, and now, because she wanted to keep Gerda.
Therefore she went into the garden, and stretched out her crutch towards all
the rose-trees, beautiful though they were; and they immediately sunk into
the dark earth, so that no one could tell where they had once stood. The old
woman was afraid that if little Gerda saw roses she would think of those at
home, and then remember little Kay, and run away. Then she took Gerda
into the flower-garden. How fragrant and beautiful it was! Every flower that
could be thought of for every season of the year was here in full bloom; no
