The Lapland Woman and the Finland Woman

           Suddenlytheystoppedbeforealittlehouse,whichlookedverymiserable. Theroofreachedtotheground;andthedoorwassolow,thatthefamilywereobligedtocreepupontheirstomachswhentheywentinorout. NobodywasathomeexceptanoldLaplandwoman,whowasdressingfishbythelightofanoillamp. AndtheReindeertoldherthewholeofGerda’shistory,butfirstofallhisown;forthatseemedtohimofmuchgreaterimportance. Gerdawassochilledthatshecouldnotspeak. 

           "Poorthing,"saidtheLaplandwoman,"youhavefartorunstill. YouhavemorethanahundredmilestogobeforeyougettoFinland;theretheSnowQueenhashercountry-house,andburnsbluelightseveryevening. Iwillgiveyouafewwordsfromme,whichIwillwriteonadriedhaberdine,forpaperIhavenone; thisyoucantakewithyoutotheFinlandwoman,andshewillbeabletogiveyoumoreinformationthanIcan." 

           WhenGerdahadwarmedherself,andhadeatenanddrunk,theLaplandwomanwroteafewwordsonadriedhaberdine, beggedGerdatotakecareofthem,putherontheReindeer,boundherfast,andawaysprangtheanimal. "Ddsa!Ddsa!"wasagainheardintheair;themostcharmingbluelightsburnedthewholenightinthesky,andatlasttheycametoFinland. TheyknockedatthechimneyoftheFinlandwoman;forastoadoor,shehadnone. 

           TherewassuchaheatinsidethattheFinlandwomanherselfwentaboutalmostnaked.Shewasdiminutiveanddirty.