But in this they were mistaken, for Simon was a very greedy, hard-hearted man and only offered to take the children that he might get their work for nothing. 

 Jack did all the chores about the farm and Nina took care of the house, although they were both much too small to do such hard work. 

 In return Simon gave them a place to sleep on the floor of the attic and very little to eat. 

 If he had Nina cook meat for his dinner he would sit by the stove and watch that she did not eat any of it, and when he had eaten all the meat he would leave the bones and gristle for poor little Jack and Nina, who were half starved. 

 One day Simon told Jack he was going to sell the big Brindle Cow to the butcher and that he was to drive her the next day to the town, a few miles away. 

 Jack and Nina were very fond of Brindle Cow and wept bitterly when they heard this. They begged Simon not to let the butcher have her, but he told them he would not listen to any such silly chatter and for Jack to be off the next morning bright and early. 

 Nina put her arms around Brindle Cow and cried when Jack was ready to lead her away and watched them down the road; but her tears blinded her so she could not see far, and she went back to get Simon's breakfast with a sad heart. 

 When Jack came to the woods he led Brindle Cow to a stream to drink, and while he sat on the bank, waiting, he was surprised to see a Fairy slip out of a lily as it opened. 

 "I thought you were never coming," said the little creature. 

 Jack thought it was to him she was speaking, and while he tried to find his tongue, which clung to his mouth, he was so surprised, Brindle Cow answered. 

 "We had to wait for daylight, you know," she said. 

 "Yes, I know; but the sun will soon be up, and I must get home before that," said the Fairy.  "Now what can I do for you?" 

 "Save my life! I am on the way to the butcher now," replied Brindle Cow. 

 "You told me that day I did not eat the field flower in which you were sleeping that you would help me if ever I was in need of help," said Brindle Cow. 

 "Last night I saw one of your sisters and told her my sad plight. The Field Flower Fairy would 

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