Part 28

Hänsel. The house seems to smile!

Gretel. It looks good enough to eat.

Hänsel. Let's nibble it!

Nibble, nibble, manikin! Who's nibbling at my housekin?

Hänsel. Oh, did you hear?

Gretel. It's the wind!

Hänsel. Never mind, let us eat the cake. I'm hungry. Take a bite! Isn't it good?

Gretel. Yes, and look at the candy! What a funny fence this is! It looks like little boys and girls made of gingerbread with sugar trimmings. I wonder who lives in this house?

You've come to visit me, that is sweet, You charming children, so good to eat!

Hänsel. Who are you, ugly one? Let me go!

Gretel. Take your arms away from me!

The Gingerbread Witch. Come into my house, little children! You may have sugarplums and peaches and cherries and candies and everything nice that little folks like!

Hänsel. No, I won't! I don't want to go into your house. I want to go home!

Gretel. I don't like you, Mrs. Gingerbread! You aren't nice like my mother. I want to go home to my own mother!

The Gingerbread Witch. Come, dear little Gretel. You must go in with me. We'll leave Hänsel in this little house outside. He must get fatter, so we will give him many good things to eat. Get in, Hänsel. I must lock you in!

Hänsel. What are you going to do with me?

The Gingerbread Witch. I'll fatten you up nicely and then you will see! Now I'll go inside for some sugarplums. You wait here, Gretel, until I come back. Hocus, pocus, malus locus! now you can't move!

Hänsel. Listen, Gretel! Watch the old witch and see everything she does to me. Hush, she's coming back!

The Gingerbread Witch. Now, Hans, eat this raisin. It will make you fat! Now, Gretel, you have stood still long enough.

Hocus, pocus, elder bush! Rigid body loosen, hush!

Then, Gretel, you must come with me, but Hans cannot move until he gets nice and fat like you. Run in, little daughter, and get some more nuts and raisins for him. I like plump little bodies like yours!

Hänsel. Please let me out, Mrs. Gingerbread.

The Gingerbread Witch. When you are fatter. Now I must look to my fire. It is burning well, and the oven will soon be hot enough to bake my dinner. When I change my gingerbread I'll pop little Gretel in and shut the door.

Gretel.

Hocus, pocus, elder bush! Rigid body loosen, hush!

The Gingerbread Witch. What are you saying?

Gretel. Oh, nothing,--only,--

The Gingerbread Witch. Only what?