Снежная королева

           "Listen,"saidtherobbermaidentoGerda."Youseethatthemenaregone;butmymotherisstillhere,andwillremain. However,towardsmorningshetakesadraughtoutofthelargeflask,andthenshesleepsalittle:thenIwilldosomethingforyou. "Shenowjumpedoutofbed,flewtohermother;withherarmsroundherneck,andpullingherbythebeard,said, "Goodmorrow,myownsweetnanny-goatofamother. "Andhermothertookholdofhernose,andpinchedittillitwasredandblue;butthiswasalldoneoutofpurelove. 

           Whenthemotherhadtakenasupatherflask,andwashavinganap,thelittlerobbermaidenwenttotheReindeer,andsaid, "Ishouldverymuchliketogiveyoustillmanyaticklingwiththesharpknife,forthenyouaresoamusing;however,Iwilluntetheryou,andhelpyouout,sothatyoumaygobacktoLapland. Butyoumustmakegooduseofyourlegs;andtakethislittlegirlformetothepalaceoftheSnowQueen,whereherplayfellowis.Youhaveheard,Isuppose,allshesaid;forshespokeloudenough,andyouwerelistening." 

           TheReindeergaveaboundforjoy.TherobbermaidenlifteduplittleGerda,andtooktheprecautiontobindherfastontheReindeer’sback;sheevengaveherasmallcushiontositon. "Hereareyourworstedleggins,foritwillbecold;butthemuffIshallkeepformyself,foritissoverypretty. ButIdonotwishyoutobecold.Hereisapairoflinedglovesofmymother’s;theyjustreachuptoyourelbow.Onwiththem!Nowyoulookaboutthehandsjustlikemyuglyoldmother!" 

           AndGerdaweptforjoy.