im many good things to eat. Get in, Haensel. I must lock
you in!

_Haensel._ What are you going to do with me?

_The Gingerbread Witch._ I'll fatten you up nicely and then you will
see! Now I'll go inside for some sugarplums. You wait here, Gretel,
until I come back. Hocus, pocus, malus locus! now you can't move!

[_Goes in._]

_Haensel._ Listen, Gretel! Watch the old witch and see everything she
does to me. Hush, she's coming back!

_The Gingerbread Witch._ Now, Hans, eat this raisin. It will make you
fat! Now, Gretel, you have stood still long enough.

Hocus, pocus, elder bush!
Rigid body loosen, hush!

Then, Gretel, you must come with me, but Hans cannot move until he gets
nice and fat like you. Run in, little daughter, and get some more nuts
and raisins for him. I like plump little bodies like yours!

[_Gretel goes in._]

_Haensel._ Please let me out, Mrs. Gingerbread.

_The Gingerbread Witch._ When you are fatter. Now I must look to my
fire. It is burning well, and the oven will soon be hot enough to bake
my dinner. When I change my gingerbread I'll pop little Gretel in and
shut the door.

[_Gretel comes in very quietly and goes to Hans._]

_Gretel._

Hocus, pocus, elder bush!
Rigid body loosen, hush!

_The Gingerbread Witch._ What are you saying?

_Gretel._ Oh, nothing,--only,--

_The Gingerbread Witch._ Only what?

_Gretel._ Only, much good may it do to Hans!

_The Gingerbread Witch._ Poor Hans is too thin, but I hope the raisins
and nuts will be good for him. But, you, my plump little Gretel, are
just fat enough--come, peep in the oven and see if the gingerbread is
ready!

_Haensel_ (_softly_).

Sister dear, have a care;
She means to hurt you, so beware!

_Gretel_ (_shyly_). I don't understand what I am to do!

_The Gingerbread Witch._ Do? Why, open the oven door!

_Haensel._ Sister dear, now take care!

_Gretel._ I'm such a goose, I don't understand.

_The Gingerbread Witch._ Do as I say, it's only play! This is the way.

[_Opens the door and looks in oven. Hans and Gretel run and push her
in._]

_Children sing._ One little push, bang goes the door, clang! Now, let us
be happy, dancing so merrily. Hurrah! Hurrah!

_Haensel._ Why, see the children, Gretel. The fence is moving! The
gingerbread children are _real_ children, but their eyes are shut!

_The Children._ We are saved! We are saved!

_Gretel._ Who are you? Why do you keep your eyes shut? You're