Puss, Jr., heard a scratching sound, then a creak, and in a moment Jack stepped from behind the giant's wife, after carefully closing the oven door.
"How do you do," said Jack, coming forward, "and what does mother want?"
"She is worried about you," replied Puss, Jr., "and asked me to tell you, should I have the good fortune of meeting you, that she hoped you would return home, for she is so lonely."
"That I will," answered Jack, "as soon as I have the opportunity." He had hardly finished speaking when the heavy tread of the giant was heard. Jack jumped back into the oven, while the giant's wife commenced talking to Puss, Jr., as if nothing whatever had happened.
"Why did you leave me?" roared the giant, turning fiercely to Puss.
"Why did you fall asleep?" asked Puss. "Were my tales not of sufficient interest to keep you awake?"
"They were," replied the giant, somewhat taken aback by the answer he received. "I guess I have the habit of falling asleep after supper. It's mighty difficult to break a habit."
"It is, indeed," said Puss. "I feel sleepy myself. Will you allow me not to break my habit of going to bed early?"
The giant laughed long and loud. "Show him his room, mother," he said, turning to his wife. So Puss said good night and followed her up-stairs, having made up his mind to meet Jack at midnight.