FAIRY TALES 193

“I will do nothing of the kind,” said Jack. “Take away your food!”

“Then eat away until you have enough,” said the man; and eat poor Jack did until he began to think that he would die. He ate until he could scarcely breathe, and then he cried out:

“Only take away your food, and I will give you the cow.” So the man took the cow, and in return gave Jack the tiny dish of food to take away with him.

Jack went home with the magical food in his p0cket;—but he had lost his cow. As soon as his mother saw him coming, she called out:

“How much did you get for the cow, J ack?”

“Oh, mother, I have been robbed of the cow 1” and then he told her about the stranger.

“You stupid boy, you are a thousand fools!” she cried, and took up the fire shovel to strike him.

Jack dodged her, and taking a bit of the food from his pocket, he managed to put it into her mouth as she went by him. She stopped, charmed by the wonderful taste.

“What is that delicious taste?” she cried. Jack gave her the dish, and she began eating greedily, while he looked on. Soon she had taken enough, and then 2500 much!

“Take away the platter, Jack,” she said, “for I cannot stop eating.”

“Will you beat me, then?” he asked.