She told him (what he knew before very well) about her husband being a powerful and cruel giant; and also that she one night admitted a poor, hungry, friendless boy, who was half dead with travelling; that the little ungrateful fellow had stolen one of the giant’s treasures; and, ever since that, her husband had been worse than before, used her very cruelly, and continually upbraided her with being the cause of his misfortune.  Jack was at no loss to discover that he was attending to the account of a story in which he was the principal actor.  He did his best to persuade the good woman to admit him, but found it a very hard task.  At last she consented; and as she led the way, Jack observed that every thing was just as he had found it before.  She took him into the kitchen, and after he had done eating and drinking, she hid him in an old lumber-closet.  The giant returned at the usual time, and walked in so heavily, that the house was shaken to its foundation.  He seated himself by the fire, and soon after exclaimed:  “Wife!  I smell fresh meat!” The wife replied, it was the crows, who had brought a piece of raw meat, and left it on the top of the house.  Whilst supper was preparing, the giant was very ill-tempered and impatient, frequently lifting up his hand to strike his wife, for not being quick enough; she, however, was always so fortunate as to elude the blow.  He was also continually up-braiding her with the loss of his wonderful hen.  The giant at last having ended his voracious supper, and eaten till he was quite satisfied, said to his wife:  “I must have something to amuse me; either my bags of money or my harp.”  After a great deal of ill-humour, and having teased his wife some he commanded her to bring down his bags of gold and silver.  Jack, as before, peeped out of his hiding-place, and presently his wife brought two bags into the room:  they were of a very large size; one was filled with new guineas, and the other with new shillings.  They were both placed before the giant, who began reprimanding his poor wife most severely for staying so long; she replied, trembling with fear, that they were so heavy, that she could scarcely lift them; and concluded, at last, that she would never again bring them down stairs; adding, that she had nearly fainted, owing to their weight This so exasperated the giant, that he raised his hand to strike her; she, however, escaped, and went to bed, leaving him to count over his treasure, by way of amusement.  The giant took his bags, and after turning them over and over, to see that they were in the same state as he left them, began to count their contents.  First, the bag which contained the silver was emptied, and the contents placed upon the table.  Jack viewed the glittering heaps with delight, and most heartily wished them in his own possession.  The giant (little thinking he was so narrowly watched) reckoned the silver over several times; and then, having satisfied himself that all was safe, put it into the bag again, which