They were very old , and as grey-headed as a pigeon , and the old woman had such a long nose that she sat in the chimney corner and used it to stir the fire . ` Good evening I good evening ! ' said the old hag ; ` but what errand have you that can bring you here ? No Christian folk have been here for more than a hundred years . ' So Halvor told her that he wanted to get to Soria Moria Castle , and inquired if she knew the way thither . ` No , ' said the old woman , ` that I do not , but the Moon will be here presently , and I will ask her , and she will know . She can easily see it , for she shines on all things . ' So when the Moon stood clear and bright above the tree-tops the old woman went out . ` Moon ! Moon ! ' she screamed . ` Canst thou tell me the way to Soria Moria Castle ? ' ` No , ' said the Moon , ` that I ca n't , for when I shone there , there was a cloud before me . ' ` Wait a little longer , ' said the old woman to Halvor , ` for the West Wind will presently be here , and he will know it , for he breathes gently or blows into every corner . ' ` What ! have you a horse too ? ' she said when she came in again . ` Oh ! let the poor creature loose in our bit of fenced-in pasture , and do n't let it stand there starving at our very door . But wo n't you exchange him with me ?
We have a pair of old boots here with which you can go fifteen quarters of a mile XXXXX each step .
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