8 THE MAGIC OAK TREE

for making a noise, they called him little
Hurly-Burly, and by this name he was
generally known. Now little Hurly-Burly,
as soon as he saw his brothers and sisters
turn round and run, whipped himself as
quick as thought under the nurse’s apron,
and there remained completely hidden from
sight. Whether it was that he had not
seen the fairy’s look, or whether it was for
some other reason, I cannot tell; but it is
certain that the spell had no effect upon him,
and whilst all the other children became
frogs, this little-fellow remained a boy the
same as ever.

It was most fortunate for him that the
fairy had not taken the trouble to count the
children before she began to practise her art
upon them, and also that she did not happen
to see this small boy; but so it was, and he
had the good sense to keep perfectly quiet
until she had quite disappeared. Then he
ventured to peep out, and saw before his
eyes the sixteen little brown frogs who had
so lately been his own brothers and sisters,
of form and features like hisown. It was a
curious sight indeed, and sad as well as
curious, to hear the dismal croaks which