Hans looked over at his sister whom looked absolutely miserable. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, but he knew that their father would be furious if their step-mother complained about her not helping. As if right on cue their step-mother came out of the small house and stood glaring at the two children and marched over to their father. Demanding an explanation as to why Gretel was not in the kitchen helping her. Hans tried to make out like he wasn't listening to the argument they then began having. Their step-mother thought it would be good to send them away for a while so they'd be able to have a break. Hans was hurt, but he felt somewhat re-assured when his father said it was out of the question, but that he would take them all out for a picnic if lunch was prepared in time.