y
than he expected. His mother was overjoyed to see him, for she concluded
he had come to a shocking end.

Jack was impatient to show his hen, and inform his mother how valuable
it was.

"And now, mother," said Jack, "I have brought home that which will
quickly make us rich; and I hope to make you some amends for the
affliction I have caused you through my idleness and extravagance."

The hen produced as many golden eggs as they desired, and so they became
possessed of immense riches.

For some months, Jack and his mother lived very happily together; but
he, recollecting the fairy's commands, and fearing that if he delayed to
avenge his father's death, she would put her threats into execution,
longed to climb the bean-stalk again and pay the giant another visit.
Jack was, however, afraid to mention it to his mother, being well
assured that she would endeavour to prevent his going. However, one day
he told her boldly that he must take a journey up the bean-stalk. She
begged and prayed him not to think of it; she told him that the giant's
wife would certainly know him again, and that the giant would desire
nothing better than to get him into his power, that he might put him to
a cruel death in order to be revenged for the loss of his hen.

Jack resolved to go at all events; for, being a very clever fellow,
although a very idle one, he had no great dread of the giant,
concluding that, although he was a cannibal, he must be a very stupid
fellow not to have regained his hen, it being just as easy to come down
the stupendous bean-stalk as to ascend it. Jack, therefore, had a dress
made, not exactly invisible, like that of his illustrious namesake, the
Giant-killer, but one which so disguised him that even

"The mother that him bore
Would not have known her child."

In a few mornings after this, he rose very early, changed his
complexion, and, unperceived by any one, climbed the bean-stalk a second
time. He was greatly fatigued when he reached the top, and very hungry,
for, with his usual thoughtlessness, he forgot to take a piece of bread
in his pocket.

Here we are inclined to remark that, as he had neither _bread_ nor
_bacon_, he must in his progress have met with a good supply of beans;
but perhaps he never thought of this resource.

Having rested some time, he pursued his journey to the giant's mansion.
He reached it late in the evening; the woman was at the door as before.
Jack addressed her, telling a pi