"As it is no longer possible for us to keep our children, we
will take them into the wood with us tomorrow, light a fire for them,
and give each a piece of bread and leave them. They will not easily
find their way back, and so we shall be rid of the burden of them."
But the father said: "No, no! I could not find it in my heart to
leave my darlings to perish. The wild beasts would tear them limb from
limb."
"Then," answered the wife, "we must all four die of hunger." She gave
her husband no peace until he promised to do as she wished, and at
last, very unwillingly, he consented.
Now, the two children had been too hungry to go to sleep that night,
and so it happened that they overheard all that their parents were
saying. Gretel wept bitterly, but brave little Hansel did his best to
comfort her. "Don't be afraid," he said; "I will take care of you."
As soon as his father and stepmother were asleep, he slipped on his
coat, and-opening the door softly, went out into the garden. The moon
was shining brightly, and by its light he could see the little white
pebbles that lay scattered in front of the house, shining like little
pieces of silver. He stooped and filled his pockets as full as he
could, and then went back to Gretel, and once more bidding her be
comforted, for God would be sure to watch over them, he jumped into
bed, and they both fell fast asleep.
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