Hansel and Gretel Read Online Free PDF Page B

that what you ask?”
    “If you believe this silliness of me, then surely you were destined for wondrous things too.”
    He laughed. “No, Gretel. My father was a farmer. It is all I will ever become. I will fell trees and fix leaky pumps and raise animals and harvest crops.”
    Her heart clinched and twisted. Why could she not have such a life? “You will most likely make that village maiden you have your heart set upon very happy, then.”
    A look of pain slashed across his features. “Not all of us can have what we want.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Gretel!” Cora’s shrill voice interrupted them. “Why are you dallying out here? Get in this house and begin those dishes.” She stood by the door, her hand on her trim waist, the feminine pale pink gown she wore shimmering in the sunshine.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Gretel curtsied and rushed to fetch the pail.
    Hansel walked with her and picked up the full bucket before she could. Then without saying a word, he brushed past his stepmother and set the water upon the counter. Gretel came in with him into the kitchen. Her gaze locked with his for a moment as he said, “Remember what I told you.” Turning on his heel, he raised an eyebrow at his stepmother and brushed past her again as he walked outside.
    “What were you speaking about?” Cora asked as she parted the curtain near the door to watch him walk away.
    “Nothing of too much importance.” Gretel began to empty the dishes from the basin and plug it up tight.
    “Nonsense.” Cora flicked the curtain closed. “I know you two believe this is your home, but I want you to consider something, young lady.” She walked over to Gretel. “I know you are not Adale’s real daughter. And though I cannot get rid of Hansel, do not believe for a moment that I will not toss you out the second it is convenient for me, for I will. I do not need insolence or slothfulness from you. You will earn your keep, or you will have no place to go.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    GRETEL MADE HER WAY up to her cozy yellow room and sat down on the small wooden bench Pa had built for her on her twelfth birthday, wrapping the yellow-and-white afghan tightly around her shoulders. She could handle doing the chores—it was what she was used to doing anyway. She could handle the chatter and the organization and even the constant demands. The woman wanted to change so many things in the house, so many things she believed needed to be just so. She sighed. It was good to see her father happy and anxious to do all Cora requested—though she did request so very much.
    However, Gretel simply could not abide her snide comments.
    She tucked her knees to her chest and leaned up against the side of the bench, looking across the room out the small window. It faced the branches of the pretty oak tree on the east side of the home. How she loved that tree. Memories of climbing all over it with Hansel cascaded through her mind. She smiled until harsher, more recent memories took their place.
    She took a deep breath and tried to push through the pain of Cora’s abuse. There were too many instances. Any time her stepmother could find fault with her, she would.
    “That color does not suit your complexion.”
    “You washed those dishes all wrong. Could you not be taught properly because of your idiocy?”
    “If I spoke with such a voice, I would never say a word to anyone for fear of disgusting them.”
    “This food cannot be edible. Make it again!”
    “Your face and figure are barely passable for one of your age. Oh, well—I guess every village must have a child on the repulsive side so they can celebrate the difference between real beauty and plainness.”
    “Your disposition is not fooling anyone. You may appear sweet, but the thoughts that roam through your mind can be seen fully upon your features.”
    “How can Adale and Hansel tolerate having someone so dimwitted and useless in their house for all these years? You clearly should have looked for a new home