Little Red Riding-Hood undressed, and went to the bedside, and was very much astonished to see how different her grandmother looked to what she did when she was up and dressed. "Grandmother," she exclaimed, "what long arms you have!" "All the better to embrace you with, my little girl." "Grandmother, what long legs you have!" "All the better to run with, child." "Grandmother, what long ears you have!" "All the better to hear with, child." "Grandmother, what large eyes you have!" "All the better to see with, child." "Grandmother, what large teeth you have!" "All the better to eat you with!" and saying these words, the wicked Wolf sprang out upon Little Red Riding-Hood, and ate her up. MORAL Now, children, take warning, and chiefly, I pray, You maidens so gentle and fair, When you come across all kinds of folk, have a care Not to listen to what they may say; For it can't be thought strange if you do, Should the Wolf choose to eat up a few. _The_ Wolf, I say here, for you'll find Wolves are many, and vary in kind; There are some, easy-mannered and tame, Without malice, or temper, the same, Most obliging and sweet in their way, Like to follow their tender young prey, And will track them right into their homes--lack-a-day! Who among us has not learnt by this time to know, The most dangerous of wolves is the soft, smooth-tongued foe! BLUE BEARD Once upon a time there was a man who had fine houses in town and country, gold and silver plate, embroidered furniture, and coaches gilt all over; but, unfortunately, this man had a blue beard, which made him look so ugly and terrible, that there was not a woman or girl who did not run away from him. One of his neighbours, a lady of rank, had two daughters, who were perfectly beautiful. He proposed to marry one of them, leaving the mother to choose which of the two she would give him. Neither of the daughters, however, would have him, and they sent him from one to the other, each being unable to make up her mind to marry a man with a blue beard. A further reason which they had for disliking him was, that he had already been married several times, and nobody knew what had become of his wives. Blue Beard, in order to improve the acquaintance, took the girls with their mother, three or four of their most intimate friends, and some other young people who resided in the neighbourhood, to one of his country seats, where they spent an entire week. Nothing was thought of but excursions, hunting and fishing-parties, balls, entertainments, suppers; nobody went to bed; the whole night was passed in games and playing merry tricks on one another. In short, all went off so well, that the youngest daughter began to think that the beard of the master of the house was not so blue as it used to be, and that he was a very worthy man. Immediately upon their return to town the marriage took place.