When he had walked some distance he met a man with a tolerably good horse . Halvor longed to buy it , and began to bargain with the man . ` Well , I have not exactly been thinking of selling him , ' said the man , ` but if we could agree , perhaps -- ' Halvor inquired how much he wanted to have for the horse . ' I did not give much for him , and he is not worth much ; he is a capital horse to ride , but good for nothing at drawing ; but he will always be able to carry your bag of provisions and you too , if you walk and ride by turns . ' At last they agreed about the price , and Halvor laid his bag on the horse , and sometimes he walked and sometimes he rode . In the evening he came to a green field , where stood a great tree , under which he seated himself . Then he let the horse loose and lay down to sleep , but before he did that he took his bag off the horse . At daybreak he set off again , for he did not feel as if he could take any rest . So he walked and rode the whole day , through a great wood where there were many green places which gleamed very prettily among the trees . He did not know where he was or whither he was going , but he never lingered longer in any place than was enough to let his horse get a little food when they came to one of these green spots , while he himself took out his bag of provisions . So he walked and he rode , and it seemed to him that the wood would never come to an end . But on the evening of the second day he saw a light shining through the trees . ` If only there were some people up there I might warm myself and get something to eat , ' thought Halvor . When he got to the place where the light had come from , he saw a wretched little cottage , and through a small pane of glass he saw a couple of old folks inside . 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 , XXXXX she shines on all things . '
At as for from if of on than that to