NCE on a time there was a goody who had three sons. The first was called Peter, the second Paul, and the third Osborn Boots. One single nanny-goat she had who was called Hairlock, and she never would come home in time for tea. Peter and Paul both went out to get her home, but they found no nanny-goat; so Boots had to set off, and when he had walked a while he saw Hairlock high, high upon a crag.

"Dear Hairlock, pretty Hairlock," he cried, "you can't stand any longer on yon crag, for you must come home in good time for tea to-day."

"No, no, that I shan't," said Hairlock; "I won't wet my socks for any one; and if you want me, you must carry me."

But Osborn Boots would not do that, so he went and told his mother.

"Well," said his mother, "go to the fox and beg him to bite Hairlock."

So the lad went to the fox.