"No, never learnt it," said Gerda, but my grandmother understands it, and used it I had learnt it "

"It matter," answered the crow; " explain as , although very badly done;" and her what he had heard " kingdom where we now are," said he, "there lives princess, so wonderfully clever that she has read all the newspapers , and forgotten them too, although so clever short time ago, as she was sitting on her throne, which people say such an agreeable seat as is often supposed, she began to sing song which commences words:

'Why should I not be married ? '

' indeed ? ' said she, and so she determined to marry if find husband who knew what when spoken to, and not one only look grand, was so tiresome Then she assembled all her court ladies together beat drum, and heard of her intentions they were pleased ' so it,' said they, we were talking ourselves the other day ' believe that every word I tell you is true," said the crow, "for tame sweetheart who goes freely palace, and she told me all this "

his sweetheart was crow, for "birds of feather flock together," and one crow always chooses another crow

"Newspapers were published immediately, with border of hearts, initials princess among them They gave notice that every young man who was handsome was free to visit the castle and speak princess; and those reply loud enough heard when spoken to, were themselves quite at home palace; but the one who spoke best chosen as husband princess Yes, yes, believe me, all as true as I sit here," said the crow "The people came in crowds great deal of crushing and running about, but no one succeeded either first or second day all speak while they were outside streets, but entered the palace gates, and saw the guards in silver uniforms, footmen in their golden livery staircase, great halls lighted up, they became quite confused And stood throne the princess sat, do nothing but repeat the last words she had said; and she had no particular wish to hear her own words over again just as had all taken something them sleepy while they were palace, for recover themselves nor speak till they got back again street quite long line reaching town-gate palace I went myself them," said the crow "They were hungry and thirsty, for palace get even glass of water wisest had taken few slices of bread and butter , but share it with their neighbors; they thought went in princess looking hungry, there better chance for themselves "

"But Kay ! tell me about little Kay ! " said Gerda, "was he amongst the crowd ? "

"Stop bit, just coming to him third day, there came marching cheerfully along palace little personage, without horses or carriage, his eyes sparkling like yours; he had beautiful long hair, but his clothes were very poor "

"That was Kay ! " said Gerda joyfully "Oh, then found him;" and she clapped her hands

"He had little knapsack back," added the crow

"No, it must his sledge," said Gerda; "for he went away with it "

"It may so," said the crow; " look at it very closely But from my tame sweetheart that he passed palace gates, saw the guards in their silver uniform, servants in their liveries of gold stairs, but not least embarrassed 'It very tiresome to stand stairs,' 'I prefer in " The rooms were blazing with light Councillors and ambassadors walked about with bare feet, carrying golden vessels; enough feel serious His boots creaked loudly as he walked, and yet not at all uneasy "

"It Kay," said Gerda, " he had new boots on, heard them creak in grandmother's room "

"They really did creak," said the crow, "yet he went boldly princess herself, who was sitting on pearl as large as spinning wheel, and all the ladies court were present with their maids, and all the cavaliers with their servants; and each maids had another maid to wait upon her, cavaliers' servants had their own servants, as page each They all stood in circles round the princess, nearer they stood door, the prouder they looked The servants' pages, who always wore slippers, could hardly be looked at, they held themselves up so proudly door "

"It quite awful," said little Gerda, "but did Kay win the princess ? "

"If I crow," said he, " married her myself, although engaged He spoke just as , when I speak the crows' language, so I heard from my tame sweetheart quite free and agreeable and said he come to woo the princess, but to hear her wisdom; and as pleased with her as she was "

"Oh, certainly that was Kay," said Gerda, " so clever; work mental arithmetic and fractions Oh, take me palace ? "

" very easy to ask that," replied the crow, "but how are we to manage it ? However, speak to my tame sweetheart, and ask her advice; for tell you very difficult to gain permission for little girl like you to enter the palace "

"Oh, yes; but gain permission easily," said Gerda, "for when Kay hears that here, come out and fetch me in immediately "

"Wait here palings," said the crow, wagging his head as he flew away

late evening crow returned "Caw, caw," , she sends you greeting, and little roll which she took kitchen ; plenty of bread there, and she thinks hungry possible to enter the palace front entrance The guards in silver uniform servants in gold livery allow it But cry, manage you in; my sweetheart knows little back-staircase that leads sleeping apartments, and she knows where the key "

Then they went garden great avenue, where the leaves were falling one after another, and see the light palace being put out same manner crow led little Gerda back door, which stood ajar Oh ! how little Gerda's heart beat with anxiety and longing; just she were going something wrong, and yet she only wanted where little Kay was "It he," she thought, "with those clear eyes, long hair " fancy she saw him smiling at her, as he used to at home, sat roses certainly her, and to hear what long distance she had come sake, and how sorry they at home because come back Oh what joy and yet fear she felt ! They were now stairs, and in small closet top lamp was burning middle floor stood the tame crow, turning her head from side to side, and gazing at Gerda, who curtseyed as her grandmother had taught her

"My betrothed has spoken so very highly of you, my little lady," said the tame crow, "your life-history, Vita, as it called, is very touching lamp walk go straight way, then meet no one "

"It seems somebody were behind us," said Gerda, as something rushed by her like shadow wall, and then horses with flying manes and thin legs, hunters, ladies and gentlemen on horseback, glided by her, like shadows wall

" only dreams," said the crow, " coming to fetch the thoughts great people out hunting "

"All the better, for to look at them in their beds more safely rise to honor and favor, show grateful heart "