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bread。'
And the birch rustled its leaves； and said： 'I have served you
longer than I can say； and you never tied a bit of twine even
round my branches； and the dear children bound them up with their
brightest ribbons。'
So the witch saw there was no help to be got from her old
servants； and that the best thing she could do was to mount on
her broom and set off in pursuit of the children。 And as the
children ran they heard the sound of the broom sweeping the
ground close behind them； so instantly they threw the
handkerchief down over their shoulder； and in a moment a deep；
broad river flowed behind them。
When the witch came up to it； it took her a long time before she
found a place which she could ford over on her broom…stick； but
at last she got across； and continued the chase faster than
before。 And as the children ran they heard a sound； and the
little sister put her ear to the ground； and heard the broom
sweeping the earth close behind them； so； quick as thought； she
threw the comb down on the ground； and in an instant； as the cat
had said； a dense forest sprung up； in which the roots and
branches were so closely intertwined； that it was impossible to
force a way through it。 So when the witch came up to it on her
broom she found that there was nothing for it but to turn round
and go back to her hut。
But the twins ran straight on till they reached their own home。
Then they told their father all that they had suffered； and he
was so angry with their step…mother that he drove her out of the
house； and never let her return； but he and the children lived
happily together； and he took care of them himself； and never let
a stranger come near them。