Then the old hag was in a dreadful
rage, and said, "If he makes himself ever so heavy next time, he
shan't take me in again."
The third day everything went just as it had gone twice before;
Goldtooth began to bark, and Buttercup's mother said to him,
"Do run out and see what our dog is barking at."
So out he went, but he soon came back crying out,
"Heaven save us! Here comes the old hag again with her head under her
arm and a sack at her back."
"Jump under the kneading-trough and hide," said his mother.
"Good day!" said the hag, as she came in at the door; "is your
Buttercup at home to-day?"
"You're very kind to ask after him," said his mother; "but he's out in
the wood with his father, shooting grouse."
"What a bore, now," said the old hag; "here have I got such a
beautiful little silver fork for him."
"Pip, pip! here I am," said Buttercup, as he came out from under the
kneading-trough.
"I'm so stiff in the back," said the hag, "you must creep into the
sack and fetch it out for yourself."
But when Buttercup was well inside the sack the old hag swung it
across her shoulders, and set off as fast as she could. This time she
did not turn aside to sleep by the way, but went straight home with
Buttercup in the sack, and when she reached her house it was Sunday.
Pages:
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351