Снігова королева
The Prince and Princess
"Thatmaybe,"saidtheRaven;"Ididnotexaminehimsominutely;butIknowfrommytamesweetheart,thatwhenhecameintothecourt-yardofthepalace, andsawthebody-guardinsilver,thelackeysonthestaircase,hewasnottheleastabashed;henodded,andsaidtothem,’Itmustbeverytiresometostandonthestairs;formypart,Ishallgoin. ’Thesaloonsweregleamingwithlustres—privycouncillorsandexcellencieswerewalkingaboutbarefooted,andworegoldkeys;itwasenoughtomakeanyonefeeluncomfortable.Hisbootscreaked,too,soloudly,butstillhewasnotatallafraid."
"That’sKayforcertain,"saidGerda."Iknowhehadonnewboots;Ihaveheardthemcreakingingrandmama’sroom."
"Yes,theycreaked,"saidtheRaven."AndonhewentboldlyuptothePrincess,whowassittingonapearlaslargeasaspinning-wheel. Alltheladiesofthecourt,withtheirattendantsandattendants’attendants,andallthecavaliers,withtheirgentlemenandgentlemen’sgentlemen, stoodround;andthenearertheystoodtothedoor,theproudertheylooked.Itwashardlypossibletolookatthegentleman’sgentleman,soveryhaughtilydidhestandinthedoorway."
"Itmusthavebeenterrible,"saidlittleGerda."AnddidKaygetthePrincess?"
"WereInotaRaven,IshouldhavetakenthePrincessmyself,althoughIampromised.ItissaidhespokeaswellasIspeakwhenItalkRavenlanguage; thisIlearnedfrommytamesweetheart.Hewasboldandnicelybehaved;hehadnotcometowoothePrincess,butonlytohearherwisdom.Shepleasedhim,andhepleasedher."
