Page:Little Red Riding Hood.djvu/42

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LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.

"The better to smell with, my dear."

Little Red Riding Hood felt almost sure it was the wolf. Her tongue could hardly speak. She trembled from head to foot at last she muttered in a whisper, "Granny, what large teeth you have!"

"The better to eat you up."

And saying this, the wolf sprang out of the bed, and in an instant devoured Little Red Riding Hood.

This is the traditional ending of the Tale—but it is a grievous one, which most children dislike.—And as I have heard a version related, in which poetical justice is done to the wolf, I insert it for those who prefer it:

He seized Little Red Riding Hood, and she screamed. Suddenly a loud rap was heard at the door. Again she screamed—and in rushed her father and some other faggot makers, who, seeing the wolf, killed him at once, and released Little Red Riding Hood.