They came at last to the house where this candle was , not without an abundance of fear : for very often they lost sight of it , which happened every time they came into a bottom . They knocked at the door , and a good woman came and opened it ; she asked them what they would have . Little Thumb told her they were poor children who had been lost in the forest , and desired to lodge there for God 's sake . The woman , seeing them so very pretty , began to weep , and said to them : `` Alas ! poor babies ; whither are ye come ? Do ye know that this house belongs to a cruel ogre who eats up little children ? '' `` Ah ! dear madam , '' answered Little Thumb -LRB- who trembled every joint of him , as well as his brothers -RRB- , `` what shall we do ? To be sure the wolves of the forest will devour us to-night if you refuse us to lie here ; and so we would rather the gentleman should eat us ; and perhaps he may take pity upon us , especially if you please to beg it of him . '' The Ogre 's wife , who believed she could conceal them from her husband till morning , let them come in , and brought them to warm themselves at a very good fire ; for there was a whole sheep upon the spit , roasting for the Ogre 's supper . As they began to be a little warm they heard three or four great raps at the door ; this was the Ogre , who had come home . Upon this she hid them under the bed and went to open the door . The Ogre presently asked if supper was ready and the wine drawn , and then sat himself down to table . The sheep was as yet all raw and bloody ; but he liked it the better for that . He sniffed about to the right and left , saying : `` I smell fresh meat . '' `` What you smell so , '' said his wife , `` must be the calf which I have just now killed and flayed . '' `` I smell fresh meat , I tell thee once more , '' replied the Ogre , looking crossly at his wife ; `` and there is something here which I do not understand . '' As he spoke these words he got up from the table and went directly to the bed . `` Ah , ah ! '' said he ; `` I see then how thou wouldst cheat me , thou cursed woman ; I know not why I do not eat thee up too , but it is well for thee that thou art a tough old carrion .
Here is good game , which comes very quickly to entertain three ogres of my acquaintance who are XXXXX pay me a visit in a day or two . ''
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