‘Your shoes are too dirty,’ cried the witch.
‘I will take off my shoes,’ said Betty.
‘Your stockings are too dirty,’ protested the witch.
‘I will take off my stockings.’
‘Your feet are too dirty,’ protested the old hag.
‘I will wash my feet,’ said the Little Mother.
‘No water would wash them clean enough to climb up my stairs,’ cried the witch.
‘I’ll cut off my feet,’ persisted Betty, determined that no excuse should stop her from getting to her children.
‘The blood would drop and stain my stairs,’ said the witch.
‘I’ll tie up my stumps,’ cried the Little Mother.