` 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 Gerda with delight . ` Oh , then I have found him ! ' and she clapped her hands . ` He had a little bundle on his back , ' said the crow . ` No , it must have been his skates , for he went away with his skates ! ' ` Very likely , ' said the crow , ' I did not see for certain . But I know this from my sweetheart , that when he came to the palace door and saw the royal guards in silver , and on the stairs the footmen in gold , he was not the least bit put out . He nodded to them , saying , `` It must be rather dull standing on the stairs ; I would rather go inside ! '' ` The halls blazed with lights ; councillors and ambassadors were walking about in noiseless shoes carrying gold dishes . It was enough to make one nervous ! His boots creaked dreadfully loud , but he was not frightened . ' ` That must be Kay ! ' said Gerda . ' I know he had new boots on ; I have heard them creaking in his grandmother 's room ! ' ` They did creak , certainly ! ' said the crow .
` And , not one bit afraid , up he went XXXXX the princess , who was sitting on a large pearl as round as a spinning wheel .
Gerda Kay On as for from in to with without