Then the spring came with warm sunshine . ' I will go and look for Kay , ' said Gerda . So she went down to the river and got into a little boat that was there . Presently the stream began to carry it away . ` Perhaps the river will take me to Kay , ' thought Gerda . She glided down , past trees and fields , till she came to a large cherry garden , in which stood a little house with strange red and blue windows and a straw roof . Before the door stood two wooden soldiers , who were shouldering arms . Gerda called to them , but they naturally did not answer . The river carried the boat on to the land . Gerda called out still louder , and there came out of the house a very old woman . She leant upon a crutch , and she wore a large sun-hat which was painted with the most beautiful flowers . ` You poor little girl ! ' said the old woman . And then she stepped into the water , brought the boat in close with her crutch , and lifted little Gerda out . ` And now come and tell me who you are , and how you came here , ' she said . Then Gerda told her everything , and asked her if she had seen Kay . But she said he had not passed that way yet , but he would soon come . She told Gerda not to be sad , and that she should stay with her and take of the cherry trees and flowers , which were better than any picture-bok , as they could each tell a story . She then took Gerda 's hand and led her into the little house and shut the door . The windows were very high , and the panes were red , blue , and yellow , so that the light came through in curious colours .
On the table were the most delicious cherries , and the old woman let XXXXX eat as many as she liked , while she combed her hair with a gold comb as she ate .
Gerda Kay colours everything girl house picture-bok spring stream sun-hat