the snow queen in seven stories-第5章

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that　glittered　horribly。　〃Oh！〃　screamed　the　old　woman　the　same　moment；

for　her　own　daughter；　who　held　her　back；　had　bitten　her　in　the　ear。

She　was　a　wild　and　naughty　girl；　and　the　mother　called　her　an　ugly

thing；　and　had　not　time　to　kill　Gerda。

　　　　〃She　shall　play　with　me；〃　said　the　little　robber…girl；　〃she

shall　give　me　her　muff　and　her　pretty　dress；　and　sleep　with　me　in　my

bed。〃　And　then　she　bit　her　mother　again；　and　made　her　spring　in　the

air；　and　jump　about；　and　all　the　robbers　laughed；　and　said；　〃See　how

she　is　dancing　with　her　young　cub。〃

　　　　〃I　will　have　a　ride　in　the　coach；〃　said　the　little　robber…girl；

and　she　would　have　her　own　way；　for　she　was　so　self…willed　and

obstinate。

　　　　She　and　Gerda　seated　themselves　in　the　coach；　and　drove　away；　over

stumps　and　stones；　into　the　depths　of　the　forest。　The　little

robber…girl　was　about　the　same　size　as　Gerda；　but　stronger；　she　had

broader　shoulders　and　a　darker　skin；　her　eyes　were　quite　black；　and

she　had　a　mournful　look。　She　clasped　little　Gerda　round　the　waist；　and

said；…

　　　　〃They　shall　not　kill　you　as　long　as　you　don't　make　us　vexed　with

you。　I　suppose　you　are　a　princess。〃

　　　　〃No；〃　said　Gerda；　and　then　she　told　her　all　her　history；　and　how

fond　she　was　of　little　Kay。

　　　　The　robber…girl　looked　earnestly　at　her；　nodded　her　head　slightly；

and　said；　〃They　sha'nt　kill　you；　even　if　I　do　get　angry　with　you；

for　I　will　do　it　myself。〃　And　then　she　wiped　Gerda's　eyes；　and　stuck

her　own　hands　in　the　beautiful　muff　which　was　so　soft　and　warm。

　　　　The　coach　stopped　in　the　courtyard　of　a　robber's　castle；　the　walls

of　which　were　cracked　from　top　to　bottom。　Ravens　and　crows　flew　in　and

out　of　the　holes　and　crevices；　while　great　bulldogs；　either　of　which

looked　as　if　it　could　swallow　a　man；　were　jumping　about；　but　they　were

not　allowed　to　bark。　In　the　large　and　smoky　hall　a　bright　fire　was

burning　on　the　stone　floor。　There　was　no　chimney；　so　the　smoke　went　up

to　the　ceiling；　and　found　a　way　out　for　itself。　Soup　was　boiling　in

a　large　cauldron；　and　hares　and　rabbits　were　roasting　on　the　spit。

　　　　〃You　shall　sleep　with　me　and　all　my　little　animals　to…night；〃　said

the　robber…girl；　after　they　had　had　something　to　eat　and　drink。　So　she

took　Gerda　to　a　corner　of　the　hall；　where　some　straw　and　carpets

were　laid　down。　Above　them；　on　laths　and　perches；　were　more　than　a

hundred　pigeons；　who　all　seemed　to　be　asleep；　although　they　moved

slightly　when　the　two　little　girls　came　near　them。　〃These　all　belong

to　me；〃　said　the　robber…girl；　and　she　seized　the　nearest　to　her；

held　it　by　the　feet；　and　shook　it　till　it　flapped　its　wings。　〃Kiss

it；〃　cried　she；　flapping　it　in　Gerda's　face。　〃There　sit　the

wood…pigeons；〃　continued　she；　pointing　to　a　number　of　laths　and　a　cage

which　had　been　fixed　into　the　walls；　near　one　of　the　openings。　〃Both

rascals　would　fly　away　directly；　if　they　were　not　closely　locked　up。

And　here　is　my　old　sweetheart　'Ba；'　and　she　dragged　out　a　reindeer

by　the　horn；　he　wore　a　bright　copper　ring　round　his　neck；　and　was　tied

up。　〃We　are　obliged　to　hold　him　tight　too；　or　else　he　would　run　away

from　us　also。　I　tickle　his　neck　every　evening　with　my　sharp　knife；

which　frightens　him　very　much。〃　And　then　the　robber…girl　drew　a　long

knife　from　a　chink　in　the　wall；　and　let　it　slide　gently　over　the

reindeer's　neck。　The　poor　animal　began　to　kick；　and　the　little

robber…girl　laughed；　and　pulled　down　Gerda　into　bed　with　her。

　　　　〃Will　you　have　that　knife　with　you　while　you　are　asleep？〃　asked

Gerda；　looking　at　it　in　great　fright。

　　　　〃I　always　sleep　with　the　knife　by　me；〃　said　the　robber…girl。　〃No

one　knows　what　may　happen。　But　now　tell　me　again　all　about　little　Kay；

and　why　you　went　out　into　the　world。〃

　　　　Then　Gerda　repeated　her　story　over　again；　while　the　wood…pigeons

in　the　cage　over　her　cooed；　and　the　other　pigeons　slept。　The　little

robber…girl　put　one　arm　across　Gerda's　neck；　and　held　the　knife　in　the

other；　and　was　soon　fast　asleep　and　snoring。　But　Gerda　could　not　close

her　eyes　at　all；　she　knew　not　whether　she　was　to　live　or　die。　The

robbers　sat　round　the　fire；　singing　and　drinking；　and　the　old　woman

stumbled　about。　It　was　a　terrible　sight　for　a　little　girl　to　witness。

　　　　Then　the　wood…pigeons　said；　〃Coo；　coo；　we　have　seen　little　Kay。

A　white　fowl　carried　his　sledge；　and　he　sat　in　the　carriage　of　the

Snow　Queen；　which　drove　through　the　wood　while　we　were　lying　in　our

nest。　She　blew　upon　us；　and　all　the　young　ones　died　excepting　us

two。　Coo；　coo。〃

　　　　〃What　are　you　saying　up　there？〃　cried　Gerda。　〃Where　was　the　Snow

Queen　going？　Do　you　know　anything　about　it？〃

　　　　〃She　was　most　likely　travelling　to　Lapland；　where　there　is

always　snow　and　ice。　Ask　the　reindeer　that　is　fastened　up　there　with　a

rope。〃

　　　　〃Yes；　there　is　always　snow　and　ice；〃　said　the　reindeer；　〃and　it　is

a　glorious　place；　you　can　leap　and　run　about　freely　on　the　sparkling

ice　plains。　The　Snow　Queen　has　her　summer　tent　there；　but　her　strong

castle　is　at　the　North　Pole；　on　an　island　called　Spitzbergen。〃

　　　　〃Oh；　Kay；　little　Kay！〃　sighed　Gerda。

　　　　〃Lie　still；〃　said　the　robber…girl；　〃or　I　shall　run　my　knife　into

your　body。〃

　　　　In　the　morning　Gerda　told　her　all　that　the　wood…pigeons　had

said；　and　the　little　robber…girl　looked　quite　serious；　and　nodded

her　head；　and　said；　〃That　is　all　talk；　that　is　all　talk。　Do　you　know

where　Lapland　is？〃　she　asked　the　reindeer。

　　　　〃Who　should　know　better　than　I　do？〃　said　the　animal；　while　his

eyes　sparkled。　〃I　was　born　and　brought　up　there；　and　used　to　run　about

the　snow…covered　plains。〃

　　　　〃Now　listen；〃　said　the　robber…girl；　〃all　our　men　are　gone　away；…

only　mother　is　here；　and　here　she　will　stay；　but　at　noon　she　always

drinks　out　of　a　great　bottle；　and　afterwards　sleeps　for　a　little

while；　and　then；　I'll　do　something　for　you。〃　Then　she　jumped　out　of

bed；　clasped　her　mother　round　the　neck；　and　pulled　her　by　the　beard；

crying；　〃My　own　little　nanny　goat；　good　morning。〃　Then　her　mother

filliped　her　nose　till　it　was　quite　red；　yet　she　did　it　all　for　love。

　　　　When　the　mother　had　drunk　out　of　the　bottle；　and　was　gone　to

sleep；　the　little　robber…maiden　went　to　the　reindeer；　and　said；　〃I

should　like　very　much　to　tickle　your　neck　a　few　times　more　with　my

knife；　for　it　makes　you　look　so　funny；　but　never　mind；…　I　will　untie

your　cord；　and　set　you　free；　so　that　you　may　run　away　to　Lapland；

but　you　must　make　good　use　of　your　legs；　and　carry　this　little

maiden　to　the　castle　of　the　Snow　Queen；　where　her　play…fellow　is。

You　have　heard　what　she　told　me；　for　she　spoke　loud　enough；　and　you

were　listening。〃

　　　　Then　the　reindeer　jumped　for　joy；　and　the　little　robber…girl

lifted　Gerda　on　his　back；　and　had　the　forethought　to　tie　her　on；　and

even　to　give　her　her　own　little　cushion　to　sit　on。

　　　　〃Here　are　your　fur　boots　for　you；〃　said　she；　〃for　it　will　be

very　cold；　but　I　must　keep　the　muff；　it　is　so　pretty。　However；　you

shall　not　be　frozen　for　the　want　of　it；　here　are　my　mother's　large

warm　mittens；　they　will　reach　up　to　your　elbows。　Let　me　put　them　on。

There；　now　your　hands　look　just　like　my　mother's。〃

　　　　But　Gerda　wept　for　joy。

　　　　〃I　don't　like　to　see　you　fret；〃　said　the　little　robber…girl；

〃you　ought　to　look　quite　happy　now；　and　here　are　two　loaves　and　a　ham；

so　that　you　need　not　starve。〃　These　were　fastened　on　the　reindeer；　and

then　the　little　robber…maiden　opened　the　door；　coaxed　in　all　the　great

dogs；　and　then　cut　the　string　with　which　the　reindeer　was　fastened；

with　her　sharp　knife；　and　said；　〃Now　run；　but　mind　you　take　good

care　of　the　little　girl。〃　And　then　Gerda　stretched　out　her　hand；

with　the　great　mitten　on　it；　towards　the　little　robber…girl；　and　said；

〃Farewell；〃　and　away　flew　the　reindeer；　over　stumps　and　stones；

through　the　great　forest；　over　marshes　and　plains；　as　quickly　as　he

could。　The　wolves　howled；　and　the　ravens　screamed；　while　up　in　the　sky

quivered　red　lights　like　flames　of　fire。　〃There　are　my　old　northern

lights；〃　said　the　reindeer；　〃see　how　they　flash。〃　And　he　ran　on　day

and　night　still　faster　and　faster；　but　the　loaves　and　the　ham　were　all

eaten　by　the　time　they　reached　Lapland。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　SIXTH　STORY

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　LAPLAND　WOMAN　AND

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　THE　FINLAND　WOMAN



　　　　They　stopped　at　a　little　hut；　it　was　very　mean　looking；　the　roof

sloped　nearly　down　to　the　ground；　and　the　door　was　so　low　that　the

family　had　to　creep　in　on　their　hands　and　knees；　when　they　went　in　and

out。　There　was　no　one　at　home　but　an　old　Lapland　woman；　who　was

cooking　fish　by　the　light　of　a　train…oil　lamp。　The　reindeer　told　her

all　about　Gerda's　story；　after　having　first　told　his　own；　which　seemed

to　him　the　most　important；　but　Gerda　was　so　pinched　with　the　cold　that

she　could　not　speak。　〃Oh；　you　poor　things；〃　said　the　Lapland　woman；

〃you　have　a　long　way　to　go　yet。　You　must　travel　more　than　a　hundred

miles　farther；　to　Finland。　The　Snow　Queen　lives　there　now；　and　she

burns　Bengal　lights　every　evening。　I　will　write　a　few　words　on　a　dried

stock…fish；　for　I　have　no　paper；　and　you　can　take　it　from　me　to　the

Finland　woman　who　lives　there；　she　can　give　you　better　information

than　I　can。〃　So　when　Gerda　was　warmed；　and　had　taken　something　to

eat　and　drink；　the　woman　wrote　a　few　words　on　the　dried　fish；　and　told

Gerda　to　take　great　care　of　it。　Then　she　tied　her　again　on　the

reindeer；　and　he　set　off　at　full　speed。　Flash；　flash；　went　the

beautiful　blue　northern　lights　in　the　air　the　whole　night　long。　And　at

length　they　reached　Finland；　and　knocked　at　the　chimney　of　the　Finland

woman's　hut；　for　it　had　no　door　above　the　ground。　They　crept　in；　but

it　was　so　terribly　hot　inside　that　that　woman　wore　scarcely　any

clothes；　she　was　small　and　very　dirty　looking。　She　loosened　little

Gerda's　dress；　and　took　off　the　fur　boots　and　the　mittens；　or　Gerda

would　have　been　unable　to　bear　the　heat；　and　then　she　placed　a　piece

of　ice　on　the　reindeer's　head；　and　read　what　was　written　on　the

dried　fish。　After　she　had　read　it　three　times；　she　knew　it　by　heart；

so　she　popped　the　fish　into　the　soup　saucepan；　as　she　knew　it　was　good

to　eat；　and　she　never　wasted　anything。　The　reindeer　told　his　own　story

first；　and　then　little　Gerda's；　and　the　Finlander　twinkled　with　her

clever　eyes；　but　she　said　nothing。　〃You　are　so　clever；〃　said　the

reindeer；　〃I　know　you　can　tie　all　the　winds　of　the　world　with　a

piece　of　twine。　If　a　sailor　unties　one　knot；　he　has　a　fair　wind；

when　he　unties　the　second；　it　blows　hard；　but　if　the　third　and

fourth　are　loosened；　then　comes　a　storm；　which　will　root　up　whole

forests。　Cannot　you　give　this　little　maiden　something　which　will

make　her　as　strong　as　twelve　men；　to　overcome　the　Snow　Queen？〃

　　　　〃The　Power　of　twelve　men！〃　said　the　Finland　woman；　〃that　would

be　of　very　little　use。〃　But　she　went　to　a　shelf　and　took　down　and

unrolled　a　large　skin；　on　which　were　inscribed　wonderful　characters；

and　she　read　till　the　perspiration　ran　down　from　her　forehead。　But　the

reindeer　begged　so　hard　for　little　Gerda；　and　Gerda　looked　at　the

Finland　woman　with　such　beseeching　tearful　eyes；　th