So the boy ran out, and came back crying out,—
"Oh, Heaven help us! here comes a great big witch, with her head under her arm, and a bag at her back."
"Jump under the kneading-trough and hide yourself," said his mother.
So in came the old hag.
"Good day," said she.
"God bless you!" said Buttercup's mother.
"Isn't your Buttercup at home to-day?" asked the hag.
"No, that he isn't. He's out in the wood with his father, shooting grouse."
"Plague take it," said the hag, "for I had such a nice little silver knife I wanted to give him."
"Pip, pip! here I am," said Buttercup under the kneading-trough, and out he came.