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While she was making the most of it, her master came and cried:

'Hurry up, Gretel, the guest is coming directly after me!' 'Yes,

sir, I will soon serve up,' answered Gretel. Meantime the master

looked to see that the table was properly laid, and took the

great knife, wherewith he was going to carve the chickens, and

sharpened it on the steps. Presently the guest came, and knocked

politely and courteously at the house-door. Gretel ran, and

looked to see who was there, and when she saw the guest, she put

her finger to her lips and said: 'Hush! hush! go away as quickly

as you can, if my master catches you it will be the worse for

you; he certainly did ask you to supper, but his intention is to

cut off your two ears. Just listen how he is sharpening the knife

for it!' The guest heard the sharpening, and hurried down the

steps again as fast as he could. Gretel was not idle; she ran

screaming to her master, and cried: 'You have invited a fine

guest!' 'Why, Gretel?