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 Gerda eat as many as she liked , while she combed her hair with a gold comb as she ate . The beautiful sunny hair rippled and shone round the dear little face , which was so soft and sweet . ' I have always longed to have a dear little girl just like you , and you shall see how happy we will be together . ' And as she combed Gerda 's hair , Gerda thought less and less about Kay , for the old woman was a witch , but not a wicked witch , for she only enchanted now and then to amuse herself , and she did want to keep little Gerda very much . So she went into the garden and waved her stick over all the rose bushes and blossoms and all ; they sank down into the black earth , and no one could see where they had been . The old woman was afraid that if Gerda saw the roses she would begin to think about her own , and then would remember Kay and run away . Then she led Gerda out into the garden . How glorious it was , and what lovely scents filled the air ! All the flowers you can think of blossomed there all the year round .
Gerda jumped XXXXX joy and played there till the sun set behind the tall cherry trees , and then she slept in a beautiful bed with red silk pillows filled with violets , and she slept soundly and dreamed as a queen does on her wedding day .
So about as for in of that to while with