42 THE MAGIC OAK TREE

little girl, in most insinuating tones; ‘the
strawberries are quite ripe, and so good.
We shall soon fill my basket, and then you
can go on if you like ; do come.’

Even as she spoke, Hurly-Burly, remem-
bering his toad, drew him out of his jacket
pocket, took him in his right hand, and with
the usual gentle squeeze, asked in a some-
what hesitating tone—

‘May I go and gather strawberries ??

Without a moment’s delay came the
musical answer, sweet and clear as before—

‘With the girl thou must not go;
"Tis a witch—thy deadly foe,

At her quickly throw thy cap,
And thy hands together clap.’

On hearing these words the boy proceeded
at once to follow the directions which they
gave him. He first replaced the toad in his
jacket pocket, and then, taking off his cap,
he threw it straight at the little girl, and
clapped his hands together directly after-
wards, You might well have supposed that
any young lady would be somewhat offended
at such an action, which, to say the least of
it, had a rude appearance such as might
cause her to change countenance and turn