And they put Gerda to bed , and she folded her hands , thinking , as she fell asleep , ` How good people and animals are to me ! ' The next day she was dressed from head to foot in silk and satin . They wanted her to stay on in the palace , but she begged for a little carriage and a horse , and a pair of shoes so that she might go out again into the world to look for Kay . They gave her a muff as well as some shoes ; she was warmly dressed , and when she was ready , there in front of the door stood a coach of pure gold , with a coachman , footmen and postilions with gold crowns on . The prince and princess helped her into the carriage and wished her good luck . The wild crow who was now married drove with her for the first three miles ; the other crow could not come because she had a bad headache . ` Good-bye , good-bye ! ' called the prince and princess ; and little Gerda cried , and the crow cried . When he said good-bye , he flew on to a tree and waved with his black wings as long as the carriage , which shone like the sun , was in sight . They came at last to a dark wood , but the coach lit it up like a torch . When the robbers saw it , they rushed out , exclaiming , ` Gold ! gold ! ' They seized the horses , killed the coachman , footmen and postilions , and dragged Gerda out of the carriage . ` She is plump and tender ! I will eat her ! ' said the old robber-queen , and she drew her long knife , which glittered horribly . ` You shall not kill her ! ' cried her little daughter . ` She shall play with me . She shall give me her muff and her beautiful dress , and she shall sleep in my bed . '
The little robber-girl was as big as XXXXX , but was stronger , broader , with dark hair and black eyes .
Gerda Kay crow first footmen good-bye palace postilions robber-queen shoes