"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.
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