Of course his sweetheart was a crow . ` The newspapers came out next morning with a border of hearts round it , and the princess 's monogram on it , and inside you could read that every good-looking young man might come into the palace and speak to the princess , and whoever should speak loud enough to be heard would be well fed and looked after , and the one who spoke best should become the princess 's husband . Indeed , ' said the crow , ` you can quite believe me . It is as true as that I am sitting here . ` Young men came in streams , and there was such a crowding and a mixing together ! But nothing came of it on the first nor on the second day . They could all speak quite well when they were in the street , but as soon as they came inside the palace door , and saw the guards in silver , and upstairs the footmen in gold , and the great hall all lighted up , then their wits left them ! And when they stood in front of the throne where the princess was sitting , then they could not think of anything to say except to repeat the last word she had spoken , and she did not much care to hear that again . It seemed as if they were walking in their sleep until they came out into the street again , when they could speak once more . There was a row stretching from the gate of the town up to the castle . ` They were hungry and thirsty , but in the palace they did not even get a glass of water . ' A few of the cleverest had brought some slices of bread and butter with them , but they did not share them with their neighbour , for they thought , `` If he looks hungry , the princess will not take him ! '' ' ` But what about Kay ? ' asked Gerda . ` When did he come ? Was he in the crowd ? ' ` Wait a bit ; we are coming to him ! On the third day a little figure came without horse or carriage and walked jauntily up to the palace . His eyes shone as yours do ; he had lovely curling hair , but quite poor clothes . ' ` That was Kay ! '
cried XXXXX with delight .
Gerda Kay course crowd first footmen left monogram neighbour sleep