One evening, when little Kay was at home, half undressed, he climbed on a chair by the window and peeped out through the little hole.

A few flakes of snow were falling, and one of them, rather larger than the rest, alighted on the edge of one of the flower boxes.

This snow-flake grew larger and larger, till at last it became the figure of a woman, dressed in garments of white gauze, which looked like millions of starry snow-flakes linked together.

She was fair and beautiful, but made of ice -- shining and glittering ice.

Still she was alive and her eyes sparkled like bright stars, but there was neither peace nor rest in their glance.

She nodded towards the window and waved her hand.

The little boy was frightened and sprang from the chair; at the same moment it seemed as if a large bird flew by the window.

On the following day there was a clear frost, and very soon came the spring.

The sun shone; the young green leaves burst forth; the swallows built their nests; windows were opened, and the children sat once more in the garden on the roof, high above all the other rooms.

How beautiful the roses blossomed this summer.