spect in future. It was I who secretly prompted you to take the
beans in exchange for the cow.

"By my power the bean-stalk grew to so great a height, and formed a
ladder. I need not add that I inspired you with a strong desire to
ascend the ladder.

"The giant now lives in this country; you are the person appointed to
punish him for all his wickedness. You will have dangers and
difficulties to encounter, but you must persevere in avenging the death
of your father or you will not prosper in any of your undertakings, but
be always miserable.

"As to the giant's possessions, you may seize on all you can, for
everything he has belongs either to you or to me; for you must know
that, not satisfied with the gold he carried off from your father, he
broke into my house and stole the two greatest curiosities ever
possessed even by a fairy, and would have killed me as he did your
father, if it could have been possible to kill a fairy. One thing I
desire--do not let your mother know you are acquainted with your
father's history till you see me again.

"Go along the direct road; you will soon see the house where your cruel
enemy lives. While you do as I order you, I will protect and guard you;
but, remember, if you disobey my commands a most dreadful punishment
awaits you."

When the fairy had concluded, she disappeared, leaving Jack to pursue
his journey. He walked on till after sunset, when, to his great joy, he
espied a large mansion. A plain-looking woman was at the door; he
accosted her, begging she would give him a morsel of bread and a night's
lodging. She expressed the greatest surprise at seeing him, and said it
was quite uncommon to see a human being near the house, for it was well
known that her husband was a large and powerful giant, and that he would
never eat anything but human flesh, if he possibly could get it; that he
did not think anything of walking fifty miles to procure it.

This account greatly terrified Jack, but he still hoped to elude the
giant, and therefore he again entreated the woman to take him in for one
night only, and hide him where she thought proper. The woman at last
suffered herself to be persuaded, for although she had assisted in the
murder of Jack's father and in stealing the gold, she was of a
compassionate and generous disposition, and took him into the house.

First they entered a fine large hall, magnificently furnished; they then
passed through several spacious rooms, all in the