you the whole world and a new pair of skates.'

But he could not do it.

'Now I must fly to warmer countries,' said the Snow-queen. 'I
must go and powder my black kettles!' (This was what she called
Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius.) 'It does the lemons and grapes
good.'

And off she flew, and Kay sat alone in the great hall trying to
do his puzzle.

He sat so still that you would have thought he was frozen.

Then it happened that little Gerda stepped into the hall. The
biting cold winds became quiet as if they had fallen asleep when
she appeared in the great, empty, freezing hall.

She caught sight of Kay; she recognised him, and ran and put her
arms round his neck, crying, 'Kay! dear little Kay! I have found
you at last!'

But he sat quite still and cold. Then Gerda wept hot tears which
fell on his neck and thawed his heart and swept away the bit of
the looking-glass. He looked at her and then he burst into
tears. He cried so much that the glass splinter swam out of his
eye; then he knew her, and cried out, 'Gerda! dear little Gerda!
Where have you been so long? and where have I been?'

And he looked round him.