Chapter Three
That night Wolfrum did not molest Hansel. Perhaps he felt that the boy was already in some sense the lady’s possession and that he should not touch him. For his part, Hansel was pleased to be spared the wood-cutter’s attentions for one night. In the morning Wolfrum unlocked the ring securing Hansel’s balls. It would hardly be true to say that the boy had got used to it, but being released was a strange feeling. He was freed at last; but for what? Would one form of servitude be replaced by another?
Wolfrum knew he could not deliver Hansel to the castle naked, nor tired and dusty from being dragged behind the wagon. Before they left he took Hansel to the pump and threw water over him, then found a pair of breeches for the boy. They were shabby, torn in one or two places, but
