But the old woman had only pretended to be friendly and kind, for she
was really a wicked old witch, who was always lying in wait to catch
little children, indeed, she had built the little house of bread and
cakes especially to entice them in. Whenever anyone came into her
power, she cooked and ate him, and thought what a fine feast she had
had.
Witches have red eyes and cannot see far, but they have keen scent,
like animals, and can tell at once when a human being is near to them.
As soon as Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood she laughed to
herself and said mockingly: "Ha, ha! they are mine already; they will
not easily escape me."
Early in the morning, before the children were awake, she stood beside
them and admired their rosy cheeks and soft round limbs.
"What nice tit-bits for me," murmured she. Then, seizing Hansel by the
hand, she led him to a little stable, and, in spite of his cries and
screams, shut him up and left him. Then she shook Gretel until she
was awake, and bade her get up at once and carry food and drink to her
brother, and it must be of the best too, for she wished to fatten him.
"When he is nice and plump, I shall eat him," said the cruel old
witch.
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