And
when the parents had gone to sleep he got up, put on his little coat, opened the
back door, and slipped out. The moon was shining brightly, and the white
pebbles that lay in front of the house glistened like pieces of silver. Hänsel
stooped and filled the little pocket of his coat as full as it would hold. Then
he went back again, and said to Gretel, »Be easy, dear little sister, and go to
sleep quietly; God will not forsake us,« and laid himself down again in his
bed.