第400页 / 共626页

The mother of Hans said: 'Whither away, Hans?' Hans answered: 'To

Gretel.' 'Behave well, Hans.' 'Oh, I'll behave well. Goodbye,

mother.' 'Goodbye, Hans.' Hans comes to Gretel. 'Good day,

Gretel.' 'Good day, Hans. What do you bring that is good?' 'I

bring nothing, I want to have something given me.' Gretel

presents Hans with a needle, Hans says: 'Goodbye, Gretel.'

'Goodbye, Hans.'

Hans takes the needle, sticks it into a hay-cart, and follows the

cart home. 'Good evening, mother.' 'Good evening, Hans. Where

have you been?' 'With Gretel.' 'What did you take her?' 'Took

nothing; had something given me.' 'What did Gretel give you?'

'Gave me a needle.' 'Where is the needle, Hans?' 'Stuck in the

hay-cart.' 'That was ill done, Hans. You should have stuck the

needle in your sleeve.' 'Never mind, I'll do better next time.'