, and
they ran to the room-door and peeped through the chink, and when they
saw a wolf in occupation, they ran and fetched weapons--the man an axe,
and the wife a scythe.

"Stay behind," said the man, as they entered the room; "when I have
given him a blow, and it does not seem to have killed him, then you must
cut at him with your scythe."

Then Tom Thumb heard his father's voice, and cried,

"Dear father, I am here in the wolf's inside."

Then the father called out full of joy,

"Thank heaven that we have found our dear child!" and told his wife to
keep the scythe out of the way, lest Tom Thumb should be hurt with it.
Then he drew near and struck the wolf such a blow on the head that he
fell down dead; and then he fetched a knife and a pair of scissors, slit
up the wolf's body, and let out the little fellow.

"Oh, what anxiety we have felt about you!" said the father.

"Yes, father, I have seen a good deal of the world, and I am very glad
to breathe fresh air again."

"And where have you been all this time?" asked his father.

"Oh, I have been in a mouse-hole and a snail's shell, in a cow's stomach
and a wolf's inside: now, I think, I will stay at home."

"And we will not part with you for all the kingdoms of the world," cried
the parents, as they kissed and hugged their dear little Tom Thumb. And
they gave him something to eat and drink, and a new suit of clothes, as
his old ones were soiled with travel.

HOW MRS FOX MARRIED AGAIN

FIRST VERSION.

THERE was once an old fox with nine tails, who wished to put his wife's
affection to proof, pretended to be dead, and stretched himself under
the bench quite stiff, and never moved a joint, on which Mrs. Fox
retired to her room and locked herself in, while her maid, the cat,
stayed by the kitchen fire and attended to the cooking.

When it became known that the old fox was dead, some suitors prepared to
come forward, and presently the maid heard some one knocking at the
house door; she went and opened it, and there was a young fox, who said,

"What is she doing, Miss Cat?
Is she sleeping, or waking, or what is she at?"

And the cat answered,

"I am not asleep, I am quite wide awake,
Perhaps you would know what I'm going to make;
I'm melting some butter, and warming some beer,
Will it please you sit down, and partake of my cheer?"

"Thank you, miss," said the fox. "What is Mrs. Fox doing?"

The maid answered,

"