Grettel sighed and said: "I'd like so much to hear about your fights
with the giants. It must be wonderful to know how to fight."

Jack could not help saying "Ho--hum!" in a rather bored way, though he
politely placed his hand over his mouth. "There's nothing great about
it," he said, "when you're fixed for it. I've my seven-league boots,
and my invisible cloak, and my sword of sharpness. You can't help
winning with them. Of course, there's my wit, too."

Grettel smiled mysteriously and nodded her head. "It's your wit first
of all," she declared knowingly.

Hansel was pouting. "Your wit?" he said; "does it help you to get what
you want? If it does, I'd like to know about it."

Grettel had wriggled herself into a comfortable position; but now she
sat up stiffly. She put her hand over her mouth and whispered,
"Please, Hansel, don't say anything about _food_!" But she quickly
turned an untroubled face to Jack, who was saying:

"There's the way I got old Blunderbore, for example. You've heard
about that, haven't you?" And he looked anxiously at all three, one
after another.

Everychild and Hansel looked at each other dubiously, but Grettel saved
the situation by saying, "It was rather a long time ago. If you'd just
go over it again . . ."

"That was my most famous piece of work," said Jack. "You see, I carry
a leather pouch under my cloak. It's filled with food----"