ad. Her
spinning-wheel and the milk of a cow, which she had purchased with the
little money she had with her, sufficed for the scanty subsistence of
herself and her little son. There was a nice little garden attached to
the cottage, in which they cultivated peas, beans, and cabbages, and the
lady was not ashamed to go out at harvest time, and glean in the fields
to supply her little son's wants.

'Jack, that poor lady is your mother. This castle was once your
father's, and must again be yours.'

Jack uttered a cry of surprise.

'My mother! oh, madam, what ought I to do? My poor father! My dear
mother!'

'Your duty requires you to win it back for your mother. But the task
is a very difficult one, and full of peril, Jack. Have you courage to
undertake it?'

'I fear nothing when I am doing right,' said Jack.

'Then,' said the lady in the red cap, 'you are one of those who slay
giants. You must get into the castle, and if possible possess yourself
of a hen that lays golden eggs, and a harp that talks. Remember, all the
giant possesses is really yours.' As she ceased speaking, the lady of
the red hat suddenly disappeared, and of course Jack knew she was a
fairy.

Jack determined at once to attempt the adventure; so he advanced, and
blew the horn which hung at the castle portal. The door was opened in a
minute or two by a frightful giantess, with one great eye in the middle
of her forehead.

As soon as Jack saw her he turned to run away, but she caught him, and
dragged him into the castle.

'Ho, ho!' she laughed terribly. 'You didn't expect to see me here, that
is clear! No, I shan't let you go again. I am weary of my life. I am
so overworked, and I don't see why I should not have a page as well as
other ladies. And you shall be my boy. You shall clean the knives, and
black the boots, and make the fires, and help me generally when the
giant is out. When he is at home I must hide you, for he has eaten up
all my pages hitherto, and you would be a dainty morsel, my little lad.'

While she spoke she dragged Jack right into the castle. The poor boy
was very much frightened, as I am sure you and I would have been in his
place. But he remembered that fear disgraces a man; so he struggled to
be brave and make the best of things.

'I am quite ready to help you, and do all I can to serve you, madam,' he
said, 'only I beg you will be good enough to hide me from your husband,
for I should not like to be eaten at all.'

'