n as ever she could.

As soon as he thought all was safe, Jack got out of the copper, and,
seizing the harp, was eagerly running off with it. But the harp was
enchanted by a fairy, and as soon as it found itself in strange hands
it called out loudly, just as if it had been alive, "Master! Master!"

The giant awoke, started up, and saw Jack scampering away as fast as
his legs could carry him.

"Oh, you villain! it is you who have robbed me of my hen and my
money-bags, and now you are stealing my harp also. Wait till I catch
you and I'll eat you up alive!"

"Very well: try!" shouted Jack, who was not a bit afraid, for he saw
the giant was so tipsy he could hardly stand, much less run; and he
himself had young legs and a clear conscience, which carry a man a
long way. So, after leading the giant a considerable race, he
contrived to be first at the top of the bean-stalk, and then scrambled
down it as fast as he could, the harp playing all the while the most
melancholy music till he said "Stop," and it stopped.

Arrived at the bottom, he found his mother sitting at her cottage door
weeping silently.

"Here, mother, don't cry; just give me a hatchet--make haste." For he
knew there was not a moment to spare; he saw the giant beginning to
descend the bean-stalk.

But the monster was too late--his ill deeds had come to an end. Jack
with his hatchet cut the bean-stalk close off at the root. The giant
fell headlong into the garden, and was killed on the spot.

Instantly the fairy appeared and explained everything to Jack's
mother, begging her to forgive Jack, who was his father's own son for
bravery and generosity, and who would be sure to make her happy for
the rest of her days.

So all ended well, and nothing was ever more heard or seen of the
wonderful bean-stalk.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD

Once there was a royal couple who grieved excessively because they had
no children. When at last, after long waiting, the queen presented her
husband with a little daughter, his majesty showed his joy by giving a
christening feast so grand that the like of it was never known. He
invited all the fairies in the land--there were seven altogether--to
stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might bestow
on her some good gift, as was the custom of good fairies in those
days.

After the ceremony all the guests returned to the palace, where there
was set before each fairy-godmother a magnificent cover