Page 403 of 626

'Whither away, Hans?' 'To Gretel, mother.' 'Behave well, Hans.'

'Oh, I'll behave well. Goodbye, mother.' 'Goodbye, Hans.' Hans

comes to Gretel. 'Good day, Gretel.' 'Good day, Hans. What good

thing do you bring?' 'I bring nothing, I want something given

me.' Gretel presents Hans with a piece of bacon. 'Goodbye,

Gretel.' 'Goodbye, Hans.'

Hans takes the bacon, ties it to a rope, and drags it away behind

him. The dogs come and devour the bacon. When he gets home, he

has the rope in his hand, and there is no longer anything hanging

on to it. 'Good evening, mother.' 'Good evening, Hans. Where have

you been?' 'With Gretel.' 'What did you take her?' 'I took her

nothing, she gave me something.' 'What did Gretel give you?'

'Gave me a bit of bacon.' 'Where is the bacon, Hans?' 'I tied it

to a rope, brought it home, dogs took it.' 'That was ill done,

Hans, you should have carried the bacon on your head.' 'Never

mind, will do better next time.'