Part 12 (1/2)

_Mother._ Come to dinner, little One-Eye and little Three-Eyes. Here is some good soup and white bread for you. Little Two-Eyes, you can have what your sisters do not want.

_Little Three-Eyes._ Here's a crust for you. That is enough for a girl with only two eyes.

_Little One-Eye._ What a shame to have a sister with two eyes! You look just like other people! Little Three-Eyes and I are very different.

_Little Three-Eyes._ Here little Two-Eyes, take this bowl. I don't want any more and you can have what is left.

_Mother._ Now, children, run away and play. Little Two-Eyes, take the goat and go out to the hillside. You must stay till it begins to get dark, and then you may come home. You must work, because you have two eyes like other people, but my little One-Eye and Three-Eyes may stay at home and play.

SCENE II.--_On the Hillside_

_Little Two-Eyes._ Come, little goat, here is some green gra.s.s for you to eat. I wish that my sisters loved me and that my mother was not ashamed of me. Oh, why do I have two eyes just like all other people? I am so hungry, Oh, dear! Oh, dear! (_Cries._)

_Wood Fairy._ My child, why do you cry?

_Little Two-Eyes._ Because I have only two eyes, and my mother and my sisters treat me badly. I don't have enough to eat and I am so hungry.

My dress is old, and my sisters have nice dresses and pretty ribbons.

But who are you?

_Wood Fairy._ I am the little Old Woman who lives on this hill. I have come to help you. Listen, little Two-Eyes! You need never be hungry again. Say to your little goat:

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, rise!

Then a table will rise before you with all the food you can eat. When you have finished eating, you must say:

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, away!

and it will disappear before your eyes. Good-by, dear little Two-Eyes. I must go now, but remember what I have told you.

_Little Two-Eyes._ Why, where has that queer looking little woman gone?

I am so hungry I'll try now if what she said can be true.

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, rise!

_Goat._ Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!

_Little Two-Eyes._ Oh, look, little goat! what a pretty table! and how good the food looks. Now we shall have all we want to eat. Here is something for you, and here are oranges and meat and pudding for me!

Dear little woman! How can I thank her? Now I can eat no more.

Little goat, bleat!

Little table, away!

_Goat._ Bla-a! Bla-a! Bla-a!