Scene IV.
The next day Willie obtains employment in the service of a farmer. Here we see him in the corn-field reaping, and doing as much work as two strong men could do. But under the shelter of the high corn are the giant hands at work helping him. Willie whistles and cuts away: his sickle glistens as the corn falls under its long sweeps.
In the evening the farmer comes into the field, and stares to see the long rows of well-tied sheaves. He looks at Willie with astonishment, and promises himself that he will do his best to keep so good a servant.
Scene V.
“If he can reap so well, perhaps he can plough,” says the farmer to himself, as he leaves the cornfield; and the next morning sees Willie employed as a ploughman. The giant hands guide the plough, unseen by any but Willie; and the land is ploughed in furrows as straight as the flight of an arrow. The farmer watches from his window, and again blesses his good fortune. As time goes on, he feels grateful to the industrious lad, who seems to take pleasure in working for him; and gradually Willie is placed over the other labourers and trusted with everything.
Scene VI.
One day, while the sheep are out on the hills, a heavy storm comes on, and the low ground between the hills is quickly flooded. Willie goes out to bring in his master’s sheep, but by the time he has collected them, the water is pouring on like a river in a narrow valley which separates them from the farm. “How I wish the hands would help me now!” thinks Willie. In a moment the giant hands spread themselves over the turbid water, forming a bridge. He drives the sheep across, and reaches the farm in safety, to the joy of all, for they have given him up for lost.
