He looked around him, “How cold it is here! --how wide and empty!” and he 
embraced Gerda while she laughed and wept by turns. Even the pieces of ice took part in 
their joy; they danced about merrily, and when they were wearied and lay down they formed 
of their own accord the mystical letters of which the Snow Queen had said, that when 
Kay could put them together he should be his own master, and that she would give 
hima the whole world. with a new pair of skates besides. 
And Gerda kissed his cheeks, whereupon they became fresh and glowing as ever. 
She kissed his eyes, and they sparkled like her own ; — she kissed his hands 
and feet, and he was once more healthy and merry, The Snow Queen might 
now come home as soon as she liked —it mattered not; Kays Charter of 
Freedom stood written on the mirror in bright icy characters. 
They took each other by the hand, and wandered forth out of the 
palace—talking, meanwhile, about the aged grandmother, and the rose trees 
“1 the roof of their houses: and as they walked on the winds were 
hushed into a calm, and the sun burst out in splendour from among 
the dark storm-clouds. When they arrived at the bush with the 
red berries, they found the Reindeer standing by, awaiting their 
arrival: he had brought with him another and younger Reindeer, 
whose udders were full, and who gladly gave her warm milk 
to refresh the young travellers. 
The old Reindeer and the young Hind now carried 
vay and Gerda on their backs, first to the little hot 
oom of the Wise-woman of Finland, where they 
warmed themselves, and received advice how to 
ead in their journey home;—and afterwards 
- the abode of the Lapland woman, who made 
‘hem some new clothes and provided them 
wit a cledpe.