Then away they flew over forests and lakes , over sea and land . Round them whistled the cold wind , the wolves howled , and the snow hissed ; over them flew the black shrieking crows . But high up the moon shone large and bright , and thus Kay passed the long winter night . In the day he slept at the Snow-queen 's feet . But what happened to little Gerda when Kay did not come back ? What had become of him ? Nobody knew . The other boys told how they had seen him fasten his sledge on to a large one which had driven out of the town gate . Gerda cried a great deal . The winter was long and dark to her . 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 XXXXX the most beautiful flowers .
Before at in into of over till to up with