Master Fred was straightway silent, and I went on.

* * * * *

"All this time Buffy-Bob and Tricksey-Wee were listening with long ears.
_They_ did not dispute about the giant's heart, and impossibility, and all
that; for they were better educated than Master Fred, and knew all about
it. 'Oh!' thought Tricksey-Wee, 'if I could but find the giant's cruel
heart, wouldn't I give it a squeeze!'

"The giant and giantess went on talking for a long time. The giantess kept
advising the giant to hide his heart somewhere in the house; but he seemed
afraid of the advantage it would give her over him.

"'You could hide it at the bottom of the flour-barrel,' said she.

"'That would make me feel chokey,' answered he.

"'Well, in the coal-cellar, or in the dust-hole. That's the place! No one
would think of looking for your heart in the dust-hole.'

"'Worse and worse!' cried the giant.

"'Well, the water-butt?' said she.

"'No, no; it would grow spongy there,' said he.

"'Well, what will you do with it?'