Снігова королева

           Onehallwasmoremagnificentthantheother;onemightindeedwellbeabashed;andatlasttheycameintothebedchamber. Theceilingoftheroomresembledalargepalm-treewithleavesofglass,ofcostlyglass;andinthemiddle,fromathickgoldenstem,hungtwobeds,eachofwhichresembledalily. Onewaswhite,andinthislaythePrincess;theotherwasred,anditwasherethatGerdawastolookforlittleKay.Shebentbackoneoftheredleaves,andsawabrownneck. Oh!thatwasKay!Shecalledhimquiteloudbyname,heldthelamptowardshim—thedreamsrushedbackagainintothechamber—heawoke,turnedhishead,and—itwasnotlittleKay! 

           ThePrincewasonlylikehimabouttheneck;buthewasyoungandhandsome.AndoutofthewhitelilyleavesthePrincesspeeped,too,andaskedwhatwasthematter. ThenlittleGerdacried,andtoldherherwholehistory,andallthattheRavenshaddoneforher. 

           "Poorlittlething!"saidthePrinceandthePrincess.TheypraisedtheRavensverymuch,andtoldthemtheywerenotatallangrywiththem,buttheywerenottodosoagain.However,theyshouldhaveareward. "Willyouflyabouthereatliberty,"askedthePrincess;"orwouldyouliketohaveafixedappointmentascourtravens,withallthebrokenbitsfromthekitchen?" 

           AndboththeRavensnodded,andbeggedforafixedappointment;fortheythoughtoftheiroldage,andsaid, "Itisagoodthingtohaveaprovisionforourolddays." 

           AndthePrincegotupandletGerdasleepinhisbed,andmorethanthishecouldnotdo.