“Come with me and I will show you where to sleep. You will have to carry me, for my paw is very painful,” said the cat.
Greta picked up the cat, too surprised to be frightened, and went through the woods as the cat directed her.
When they reached a big rock with an opening in it the cat said: “Here is my home. Take me in and you will find a place to sleep and food as well.”
Creeping in on her hands and knees with the cat under her arm, Greta found herself in a big room with a table in the center and on it plenty of food.
In one corner of the room was a bed and on this Greta saw a queer-looking old woman with a hooked nose.
She was asleep and did not notice them until the cat said, “Eat your supper.”
Up jumped the queer-looking old woman when she heard this, for she was the witch.
“You, and a mortal with you,” she screamed, as she reached for her crooked stick.
Greta ran to the door, for she thought the old witch was about to strike her; but the black cat, who was sitting on the floor near by where Greta had put it, said: “Don’t you dare touch this girl; she has saved my life, and from this hour you are in my power, for a mortal has held me in her arms.
“If you would live call the good fairy that has been looking for me all these years. I shall find her, anyway, but it will save time if you use your magic power, and you will regret it if you do not obey me.”