“They are only dreams,” said the crow, “they are coming to fetch the
thoughts of the great people out hunting.”
“All the better, for we shall be able to look at them in their beds more
safely. I hope that when you rise to honor and favor, you will show a
grateful heart.”
“You may be quite sure of that,” said the crow from the forest.
They now came into the first hall, the walls of which were hung with
rose-colored satin, embroidered with artificial flowers. Here the dreams
again flitted by them but so quickly that Gerda could not distinguish the
royal persons. Each hall appeared more splendid than the last, it was
enought to bewilder any one. At length they reached a bedroom. The ceiling
was like a great palm-tree, with glass leaves of the most costly crystal, and
over the centre of the floor two beds, each resembling a lily, hung from a
stem of gold. One, in which the princess lay, was white, the other was red;
and in this Gerda had to seek for little Kay. She pushed one of the red
leaves aside, and saw a little brown neck. Oh, that must be Kay! She called
his name out quite loud, and held the lamp over him. The dreams rushed
back into the room on horseback. He woke, and turned his head round, it
was not little Kay! The prince was only like him in the neck, still he was
young and pretty. Then the princess peeped out of her white-lily bed, and
asked what was the matter. Then little Gerda wept and told her story, and all
that the crows had done to help her.
