The Giantess went away, and soon returned with a little brown hen, which she placed on the table before her husband.
“And now, my dear,” she said, “I am going for a walk, if you don’t want me any longer.”
“Go, said the Giant; “I shall be glad to have a nap by and by.”
Then he took up the brown hen and said to her:
“Lay!” And she instantly laid a golden egg.
“Lay!” said the Giant again. And she laid another.
“Lay!” he repeated the third time. And again a golden egg lay on the table.
Now, Jack was sure this hen was that of which the fairy had spoken.
By and by the Giant put the hen down on the floor, and soon after went fast asleep, snoring so loud that it sounded like thunder.
Directly Jack perceived that the Giant was fast asleep, he pushed open the door of the wardrobe and crept out; very softly he stole across the room, and, picking up the hen, made haste to quit the apartment. he knew the way to the kitchen, the door of which he found was left ajar; he opened it, shut and locked it after him, and flew back to the Beanstalk, which he descended as fast as his feet would move.