Both.

Come, let's nibble it,

like two mice persevering!

(They hop along, hand in hand, towards the back of the stage; then stand still, and then steal along cautiously on tiptoe to the house. After some hesitation Hänsel breaks off a bit of cake from the right-hand corner.)

Dritte Scene.

Stimme aus dem Häuschen.

Knusper, knusper Knäuschen,

wer knuspert mir am Häuschen?

Hänsel (lässt erschrocken das Stück zu Boden fallen).

Gretel (zaghaft).