Wolf, who had a great mind to eat her up, but dared not indulge his
wicked wish, because of some woodcutters who were at work near them in
the forest. He ventured, however, to ask her whither she was going. The
little girl, not knowing how dangerous it was to talk to a wolf,
replied: "I am going to see my grandmamma, and carry her these cakes and
a pot of butter."

"Does she live far off?" said the Wolf. "Oh, yes," answered Little Red
Riding-Hood, "beyond the mill you see yonder, at the first house in the
village."

[Illustration: Little Red Riding-Hood loiters by the way.]

[Illustration: The Wolf arrives at the Grandmother's house before Little
Red Riding-Hood.]

"Well," said the Wolf, "I will go and see her too; I will take this
way, and you take that, and let us see which will be there the sooner."
The Wolf set out, running as fast as he could, and taking the nearest
way; while the little girl took the longest, and amused herself as she
went along with gathering nuts, running after butterflies, and making
nosegays of such flowers as she found within her reach. The Wolf soon
arrived at the dwelling of the grandmother, and knocked at the door.
"Who is there?" said the old woman. "It is your grandchild, Little Red
Riding-Hood," replied the Wolf, in the voice of the little girl; "I
have brought you some cheesecakes, and a little pot of butter, that
mamma has sent you."

The good old woman, who was ill in bed, then called out, "Pull the
bobbin, and the latch will go up." The Wolf pulled the bobbin, and the
door opened. He sprang upon the poor old grandmother, and ate her up in
a few minutes, for it was three days since he had tasted any food.

[Illustration: The Wolf attacks the poor Grandmother.]

The Wolf then shut the door, and laid himself down in the bed, and
waited for Little Red Riding-Hood, who very soon after reached the
door. Tap, tap! "Who is there?" She was at first a little frightened at
the hoarse voice of the Wolf, but believing that her grandmother had got
a cold she answered: "It is your grandchild, Little Red Riding-Hood.
Mamma has sent you some cheesecakes, and a little pot of butter." The
Wolf called out, softening his voice: "Pull the bobbin, and the latch
will go up." Little Red Riding-Hood pulled the bobbin, and the door
opened.

[Illustration: The Wolf puts on the Grandmother's night-gown and cap,]

When she came into the room, the Wolf, hiding himself under the
bed-clothes, said to h