nts. He had a dress prepared
which would disguise him, and something to color his skin. He thought
it impossible for any one to recollect him in this dress.

A few mornings after, he rose very early, and, unperceived by any one,
climbed the bean-stalk a second time. He was greatly fatigued when he
reached the top, and very hungry. Having rested some time on one of the
stones, he pursued his journey to the giant's mansion, which he reached
late in the evening. The woman was at the door as before. Jack addressed
her, at the same time telling her a pitiful tale, and requesting that
she would give him some victuals and drink, and also a night's lodging.

She told him (what he knew before very well) about her husband's being a
powerful and cruel giant, and also that she had one night admitted a
poor, hungry, friendless boy; that the little ungrateful fellow had
stolen one of the giant's treasures; and ever since that her husband had
been worse than before, using her very cruelly, and continually
upbraiding her with being the cause of his misfortune.

Jack felt sorry for her, but confessed nothing, and did his best to
persuade her to admit him, but found it a very hard task. At last she
consented, and as she led the way, Jack observed that everything was
just as he had found it before. She took him into the kitchen, and after
he had done eating and drinking, she hid him in an old lumber-closet.

The giant returned at the usual time, and walked in so heavily that the
house was shaken to its foundation. He seated himself by the fire, and
soon after exclaimed, "Wife, I smell fresh meat!"

The wife replied it was the crows, which had brought a piece of raw meat
and left it at the top of the house. While supper was preparing, the
giant was very ill-tempered and impatient, frequently lifting up his
hand to strike his wife for not being quick enough. He was also
continually upbraiding her with the loss of his wonderful hen.

At last, having ended his supper, he cried, "Give me something to amuse
me--my harp or my money-bags."

"Which will you have, my dear?" said the wife humbly.

"My money-bags, because they are the heaviest to carry," thundered he.

She brought them, staggering under the weight; two bags--one filled with
new guineas, and the other with new shillings. She emptied them out on
the table, and the giant began counting them in great glee. "Now you may
go to bed, you old fool." So the wife crept away.

Jack fro