driven out of the town gate.

Gerda cried a great deal. The winter was long and dark to her.

Then the spring came with warm sunshine. 'I will go and look for
Kay,' said Gerda.

So she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was
there. Presently the stream began to carry it away.

'Perhaps the river will take me to Kay,' thought Gerda. She
glided down, past trees and fields, till she came to a large
cherry garden, in which stood a little house with strange red and
blue windows and a straw roof. Before the door stood two wooden
soldiers, who were shouldering arms.

Gerda called to them, but they naturally did not answer. The
river carried the boat on to the land.

Gerda called out still louder, and there came out of the house a
very old woman. She leant upon a crutch, and she wore a large
sun-hat which was painted with the most beautiful flowers.

'You poor little girl!' said the old woman.

And then she stepped into the water, brought the boat in close
with her crutch, and lifted little Gerda out.

'And now come and tell me who you are, and how you came here,'
she said.