20 THE MAGIC OAK TREE

of that, perhaps she got the worst of it after
all, for I was at the bristle-sharpener’s only
two days ago, and my quills are like needles,
I expect. However, if she didn’t mean
mischief, there’s no more to be said.’

‘Thank you, noble sir,’ rejoined the boy.
‘I can assure you that such is the fact.
Poor woman, she is hardly in her right
mind just now from grief, so for that cause
also I hope you will kindly forgive her,’

‘Upon my word,’ replied the hedgehog,
‘you are a very prettily-spoken young
gentleman, and, since the woman belongs to
you, I we/7 forgive her, and think no more
about it. But what is this grief of which
you speak ??

‘Ah, sir,’ said Hurly-Burly, with a deep
sigh, ‘it is something very sad indeed. My
sixteen brothers and sisters have all been
changed into frogs, and are now in the
pond before us.’

‘Say you so?’ remarked the hedgehog,
who had uncurled himself whilst the boy
was speaking, and displayed his head and
sharp black eyes, which had previously
been hidden from view. ‘Say you so?
lll be bound this is more of the work of that