HOP-O'-MY-THUMB. 149

see whom the noise came from ; and then he heard the same
voice say, “ Listen, Hop-o'-my-thumb, to what I am about to
say to you. Do not go to the palace. Waste no time; the
he may awake. Know, Hop-o’-my-thumb, that
‘ou took from the Ogre while he was asleep are two
fairies, and 1am the eldest of the ym, We have seen the clever
¢ done to keep your brothers from harm, and for
n we will bestow upon you the gift of riches, if you
will once more employ your wits to a good purpose, and be as
brave as before. But fairies must not speak of such matters
as these: break the shell of the largest nut you can find in your
pocket, and you will find a paper inside that will tell you all
that you are to do.” Hop-o’-my-thumb did not stand thinking
about these strange things, but in a moment put his hand into
his pocket for the nut. He next cracked it with his teeth, and
found a pie aper inside, carefully folded up, which he
opened, and to his great surprise read as follows :
Go unto the Ogre’s door,
These ae speak, and nothing more :
cannot come
0 Hop-o'-my-thumb.”

  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

    

taveget bey

Hop-o'-my-thumb now began to say the last two lines over
and over again, for fear he should forget them ; and when be
thought he had learned them by heart, he made two or three
of his largest strides, and soon reached the Ogre's door. He
knocked loudly, which brought the Ogre’s wife down stairs ;
but at sight of Hop-o’-my-thumb she started back, and looked.
as if she would shut the door against him. Hop-o'-my-thumb
knew he had not a moment to lose: so he seemed as if he did
not think how much vexed she was at seeing him who had
caused her daughters to be killed by their own father. Hop-
o’-my-thumb then began to talk as if he was ina great hurry.