CHAPTER VIII
CHILDREN AGAIN

O sooner had she thus spoken,
than Venomista’s face became
deadly white, and she visibly
shook all over.

‘Oh, no—no—no,’ she cried, in a voice
of abject terror. ‘Not czkaf—not that—
anything but z#az. I was only joking, I
didn’t mean it. I won’t do it again. Of
course I know you have the power if you
please, only—only—only—I don’t like to
leave the oak! Won't you let me off just
this once ??

Then the Fairy of the Falls smiled coldly
as she replied :

 
 

‘If even I could wish to let thee stay,
Frog-children with sad croaking bar the way.