But after a time Jack made up his mind to go again to the giant's castle.
So he climbed the beanstalk once more, and blew the horn at the giant's gate. The giantess soon opened the door and she bade him come in, and again hid him away in the wardrobe.
By and by the giant came home, and as soon as he had crossed the threshold he roared out:
Fe, fa, fi-fo-fum,
I smell the breath of an Englishman.
Let him be alive or let him be dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread.
"You stupid old giant," said his wife, "you only smell a nice sheep, which I have grilled for your dinner."
When he had eaten it all up, he said, "Now bring me my harp, and I will have a little music while you take your walk."
The giantess obeyed, and returned with a beautiful harp. The framework was all sparkling with diamonds and rubies, and the strings were all of gold.
"This is one of the nicest things I took from the knight," said the giant.
So he drew the harp towards him, and said, "Play!" And the harp played a nice tune to the sound of which its master fell asleep.
Then Jack stole softly out of the wardrobe, seized the harp and ran away with it; but as he jumped over the threshold the harp called out, "Master! Master!" And the giant woke up. With a tremendous roar he sprang from his seat, and in two strides had reached the door.
But Jack was very nimble. He fled like lightning with the harp, talking to it as he went (for he saw it was a fairy), and telling it he was the son of its old master, the knight.
