140 ‘HOP-0'-MY-THUMB.

and Hop-o'-my-thumb did not say a word to either of his
brothers about what he had heard. They came to a forest that
was so very thick, that they could not see each other a few
yards off. The faggot-maker set to work cutting down wood ;
and the children began to gather all the twigs, to make faggots
of them.

When the father and mother saw that the young ones were
all very busy, they slipped away without being seen by them,
and got into a by-path, where they soon lost sight of the forest.
Ina short time the children found themselves alone, and began
tocry as loud as they could. Hop-o’-my-thumb let them ery
on, for he knew well enough how to take them safe home, as
he had taken care to drop the white pebbles he had in his pocket
along all the way he had come. He only said to them, “ Never
mind it, my lads; father and mother have left us here by our-
selves, but only take care to follow me, and I will lead you
back again.” When they heard this, they left off crying, and
followed Hop-o'-my-thumb, who soon brought them to their
father’s house by the very same path which they had come
along. At first they had not the courage to go in; but stood at
the door to hear what their parents were talking about, Just
as the faggot-maker and his wife had come home without their
children, a great gentleman of the village sent to pay them two
guineas, which he had owed them so long for work they had
done for him, that they never thought of getting a farthing of
it. This money made them quite happy; for the poor crea-
tures were very hungry, and had no other way of getting any
thing to eat.

The faggot-maker sent his wife out ina moment to buy some
meat ; and as it was a long time since she had made a hearty
meal, she bought as much meat as would have been enough
for six or eight persons. The truth was, she forgot that her