SCENE II
Reading edition
TIME: the next day. PLACE: Jacob's mill.
JACOB, THE WISE MILLER. THE FOX.
[The FOX enters. He knocks at the mill door. JACOB opens the door and comes out. He is covered with meal.]
FOX. Good-morning, Jacob.
JACOB. What do you want, sir?
FOX. I am hungry. I want to eat Peter's chickens.
JACOB. Why do you come to me?
FOX. You do not like Peter.
JACOB. Oh, you know that, do you?
FOX. Oh, yes, I know! Now will you help me to get his chickens?
JACOB. What can I do?
Fox. Put meal on me, till I am white. Then the chickens will think I am a miller.
JACOB. Ah, that is fine! Wait here.
[He enters the mill.]
FOX. He has gone for meal! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
[JACOB comes out with a club.]
JACOB. Now go! Go, sir!
FOX. Why, what is this? I said I would eat Peter's chickens.
JACOB. Yes, but you mean to eat mine. Now go! Go, or I will beat you!
[The Fox runs quickly away.]