But Reinecke interrupted him: "The cuckoo take your nose and all the rest of you, only don't let your hunting-dogs come out here until I have put my hide in safety!" And away he went, across lots and out of sight. So the Man saved his nose, and full of joy he went home that night, carrying Petz with him. "Master Reinecke wasn't so clever that time," said the little boy. "He is not always clever," said the grandmother. "But he was very clever when he took revenge on Isegrim." "Oh, tell me that, tell me that!" cried the little boy. "Not now," said the grandmother. "Did I not tell you that I had not done my stint of spinning? Come this evening after supper and I will tell you. Now run away home." CHAPTER VI AFTER SUPPER The little boy could hardly eat at supper-time, and as soon as possible he ran to his grandmother's room. She was knitting in the dark, for the stock of candles was getting low, and she could knit without looking. "Have you come for the story?" she asked. "I was expecting you." So the little boy climbed to his place on the stove, and the grandmother began the story of REINECKE'S REVENGE ON ISEGRIM Once upon a time Reinecke kneaded mud-cakes, baked them, and spread them with honey. When they were all ready he betook himself to the turkey-tenders and begged them to give him a turkey in exchange for his honey-cakes. The turkey-tenders were not to be so easily hoaxed, and they sent him to the swine-herds, assuring him that the swine-herds would give him a sucking pig for his honey-cakes. He therefore sought the swine-herds and begged for a sucking pig in exchange for his cakes. The swine-herds would give him none, but sent him to the cow-herds, who might give him a calf in exchange for the cakes. So he went to the cow-herds and begged them to give him a calf and take his honey-cakes in exchange. The cow-herds declined, and sent him to the stable-boys, who would surely give him a colt in exchange for the honey-cakes. So he went to the stable-boys and offered to exchange his honey-cakes for a colt. They gave him a beautiful colt and took in exchange the honey-cakes. So Reinecke went away, leading the colt, and leaving with the stable-boys a strict injunction on no account to break one of the cakes until he should have disappeared behind a certain hill. The stable-boys obeyed the behest, but when they afterward tried the cakes and broke their teeth upon them, they perceived that they were made of clay, and they at once set off in pursuit of the Fox. But Master Reinecke had so much the start of them that they were obliged to turn back, weary and overheated, having had their trouble for their pains. Now when Reinecke reached home he made a stall of wicker-work for the colt, and devoted himself entirely to the care of him. Day after day he brought him green, juicy grass and cool, refreshing drink, and whenever he brought them he always called to the colt in these words: