Part 5 (1/2)
Quick as lightning came a squeaking voice from the inside:
”Nibble, nibble, mousekin, Who's nibbling at my housekin?”
Haensel started back in fear.
”'Twas only the wind,” said Gretel. ”Let's taste it.”
They did. Since it tasted better than anything they had ever eaten before, they feasted merrily for a while, never heeding the voice of the Witch or her ugly form, either, which, a little later, appeared at the door. I have no doubt that they would be feasting yet, if the Witch had not then and there stealthily stolen upon them. With a deft movement she threw a rope about Haensel's neck and held him fast.
The children's delight turned to terror. For she was a loathsome sight to see. Bent, toothless, with unkempt hair and clawlike hands, she looked the picture of a Witch indeed.
In spite of her appearance, however, she spoke to them in a very kindly manner. She called them pretty names, told them that they were nice and plump, and that they would make excellent gingerbread. She even caressed Haensel, which made him very angry. Wriggling and squirming, he managed to loosen the rope and seizing Gretel by the hand, ran--alas! only a short distance. For the Witch, holding aloft a juniper branch, circled it in the air, repeating these strange words:
”Hocus, pocus, witch's charm, Move not, as you fear my arm!”
The children stood stock-still. They were stiff from head to toe.
Fortunately, by this time they had undergone so many strange adventures that they had learned fairly well how to conduct themselves.
”Watch carefully all she does!” whispered Haensel, as the Witch led him away to the cage and gave him nuts and raisins to fatten him.
”I will,” said Gretel.
Therefore, when, a few moments later, the Witch disenchanted her in order that she might prepare the table, Gretel listened attentively to the words:
”Hocus, pocus, elder bush, Rigid body, loosen hus.h.!.+”
No sooner had Gretel run into the house than the Witch was seized with a fit of wild joy. She thrust more f.a.gots into the fire, laughing wickedly when the flames flared higher and higher. She mounted her broomstick and rode about, shouting a weird song.
Gretel watched her from the doorway. That broomstick ride gave her an opportunity. She stole to the cage, and, whispering,
”Hocus, pocus, elder bush, Rigid body, loosen hus.h.!.+”
she set Haensel free. But he did not move. No, not yet.
For the Witch had come back. She was rubbing her hands with glee. Her face wore an evil smile. Oh, the fine meal she would have! Haensel was not plump enough. Gretel must be eaten first. So, opening the oven door, she called Gretel and told her to look inside. But clever Gretel pretended not to understand. Would not the Witch show her how? Angry, impatient, muttering to herself, the Witch crept nearer to the oven, and when she was about to bend over it, Haensel and Gretel gave her one good, hard push from behind. She toppled over and fell in. Bang! bang!
went the door. She was safe inside.
How the fire crackled and roared. A moment later there was a great crash and the oven fell to pieces. Haensel and Gretel, much terrified, started to run away, but found themselves, to their great surprise, entirely surrounded by a troop of little children.
”It's the fence,” exclaimed Haensel, ”the gingerbread fence!”
And so it was. The gingerbread had fallen off, and real children stood there, motionless, with closed eyes, murmuring softly:
”Oh, touch us, we pray, That we may all awake!”