And go to bed with backward looks
At my dear Land of Story Books.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.




HANSEL AND GRETEL


In a little cottage at the edge of a forest in Germany, lived Peter, a
poor broom maker, and his wife Gertrude. They had two children, Hansel
and Gretel.

One day Hansel and Gretel were left alone at home. Their father had gone
to the village to sell brooms. Their mother was away, too.

The children were left busily at work. The boy was mending brooms, the
girl knitting stockings.

After a time they became tired of their hard work.

"Come, Gretel, let us have some fun!" cried Hansel.

As he spoke, he threw the broom upon the floor, and pulled the stocking
from his sister's hand.

"Oh, yes!" said Gretel. "I will teach you a song, and you can learn the
steps of the dance."