Now it is the hardest thing in the world for little children to stick to a long task, so that which might have been expected happened: Haensel and Gretel ceased after a little to work, and began to think how hungry they were. Haensel was seated in the doorway, working at the brooms; brooms were hanging up on the walls of the poor little cottage; and Gretel sat knitting a stocking near the fire. Being a gay little girl, she sang to pass the time: [Music: Susy little Susy, pray what is the news? The geese are running bare foot because they've no shoes! The cobbler has leather and plenty to spare, Why can't he make the poor goose a new pair?] This sounded rather gay, and, before he knew it, Haensel had joined in: Eia popeia, pray what's to be done? Who'll give me milk and sugar, for bread I have none? I'll go back to bed and I'll lie there all day, Where there's naught to eat, then there's nothing to pay. "Speaking of something to eat--I'm as hungry as a wolf, Gretel. We haven't had anything but bread in weeks." "Well, it does no good to complain, does it? Why don't you do as father does--laugh and make the best of it?" Gretel answered, letting her knitting fall in her lap. "If you will stop grumbling, Haensel, I'll tell you a secret--it's a fine one too." She got up and tiptoed over to the table. "Come here and look in this jug," she called, and Haensel in his turn tiptoed over, as if something very serious indeed would happen should any one hear him. "Look in that jug--a neighbour gave us some milk to-day, and that is likely to mean rice blanc-mange." "Oh, gracious goodness! I'll be found near when rice blanc-mange is going on; be sure of that. How thick is the cream?" the greedy fellow asked, dipping his finger into the jug. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself! Take your fingers out of that jug, Haensel, and get back to your work. You'll get a good pounding if mother comes home and finds you cutting up tricks." "No, I'm not going to work any more--I'm going to dance." "Well, I admit dancing is good fun," Gretel answered him reluctantly. "We can dance a little, and sing to keep us in time, and then we can go back to work." Brother, come and dance with me, Both my hands I offer thee, Right foot first, Left foot then, Round about and back again, she sang, holding out her hands. "I don't know how, or I would," Haensel declared, watching her as she spun about.