little ones.

In a short time they were as badly off as ever, and one night they
again heard their mother trying to persuade her husband to take them
out into the wood and lose them. "There is nothing left in the house
but half a loaf of bread," she said; "for our own sakes it is better
to get rid of the children; but this time we will lead them farther
away, so that they will not be able to find their way home."

But the man would not agree. "Better to divide our last morsel with
them," he said, "and then die together."

His wife would not listen to what he said, but scolded him for his
want of thought for her; and at last the poor man gave way a second
time, just as he had done at first.

But the children had overheard all that was said, and as soon as the
mother and father were asleep, Hansel stole down to the door, meaning
to go and collect pebbles as he had done before; but the door was
locked and bolted, and he could not get out. "Never mind, Gretel," he
said consolingly, "the good God will surely help us."

Early in the morning the woman wakened the children, and, giving them
a small piece of bread, bade them follow her and their father into the
wood. As they went, Hansel crumbled his morsel of bread in his pocket
and strewed the crumbs upon the path.

"Come, Hansel," said the father, "don't loiter so, sonny. What can you
see to stare at so often?"

"My little dove, father. It is sitting on the housetop, bidding me
good-by."

"Nonsense," said the woman, "it is not your dove; it is only the
rising sun shining upon the chimney."

Hansel did not answer, but he went on strewing his crumbs carefully
until the last morsel of bread was gone.

Deeper and deeper into the wood they went, where the children had
never been before. There a great fire was kindled, and the mother
said: "Stay here, children, whilst your father and I go to cut wood.
If you are tired you may sleep a while, and we will fetch you when it
is time to go home."

When dinner-time came, Gretel divided her piece of bread with Hansel,
because he had scattered all his share upon the road; and then they
went to sleep. The evening shadows fell, but still no one came to
fetch the poor children, and it was not until midnight that they
awakened.

Hansel put his arms round his sister and told her not to fear, for
when the moon rose they would easily be able to see the crumbs, and so
find their way home again.

So when the moon rose they set out