THIRD STORY: The Flower Garden of the
Woman Who Could ConjureBut how fared little Gerda during Kay's absence? What had
become of him, no one knew, nor could any one give the slightest
information, excepting the boys, who said that he had tied his
sledge to another very large one, which had driven through the
street, and out at the town gate. Nobody knew where it went; many
tears were shed for him, and little Gerda wept bitterly for a long
time. She said she knew he must be dead; that he was drowned in the
river which flowed close by the school. Oh, indeed those long
winter days were very dreary. But at last spring came, with warm
sunshine. "Kay is dead and gone," said little Gerda.
"I don't believe it," said the sunshine.
"He is dead and gone," she said to the
sparrows.
"We d
