"I'm not a which, I'm a Was," said the old woman. "Oh! I beg your pardon, ma'am," said Billy, "I saw that you were riding a broom." "Well what of it--the broom's willing." "I didn't mean it that way," began Billy. "Oh! you mean you meant it any way. But this is not having your fortune told," interrupted the old woman. "Come right into the house." And sure enough Billy discovered that he was standing in front of a little old house, as wrinkled and ugly and out of repair as the old woman. "What town is this?" he asked. "Superstitionburg--don't bump into the ladder." "What is that for?" "Oh! we all have ladders over our doors here for bad luck. Sit down and I'll get the cards and tell your fortune." "Thank you," said Billy, "will it be true?" "No, of course not. Ah--h! you have lately had serious trouble." "That's true," said Billy. "Then I've made a mistake. You will marry a tall, short, blonde dark complected man." "Hold on," said Billy, "I'm a boy--how can I marry a man?" "There I knew something was wrong. I have the deck of cards that I tell ladies' fortunes with--shall I try it over again?" "No, I think not," said Billy, "I must be going." "Purr-r-r-r-r, Purr-r-r-r," and a great black, hump-backed cat with glaring green eyes and nine long black tails rubbed against his leg. "Oh!" he cried, "what a large cat." "Yes," said the old woman, "that's my black cat-o-nine tails. I'm very proud of him, he's the unluckiest cat of the entire thirteen in Superstitionburg." "Unlucky?" "Yes, the cats always sit thirteen at table for bad luck. As there never is more than enough for twelve and as he always gets his share he brings bad luck to one of the cats every meal. Isn't that nice?" "But isn't that hard on the extra cat?" "Oh! no they don't mind at all--it's so good for the digestion." "Won't you have a cup of poison before you go?" "Poison?" said Billy, edging toward the door. [Illustration: _"That's my black cat-o-nine tails," said the old woman._--Page 90.] "Yes. I have some lovely poison, I brewed it myself; _do_ have some." "No thank you, I--I really am not thirsty, and I _must_ go." "I don't see how you are going to get away now, the town guard knows you are here and is bound to arrest you if your eyes are not crossed." "What have I done?" asked Billy. "Nothing, only it's not bad luck to meet a straight-eyed person, and if you can't bring somebody bad luck you're not allowed in the city." "But how do they know I am here?" "Their noses are itching because a stranger has come to call. Their noses are very sensitive to strangers. It makes them such careful guards." "Have they guns?" asked Billy. "Oh! yes, they all have guns that are not loaded." "Oh! well, then, they can't shoot me." "I guess you don't know much about guns--because it is always guns that are not loaded that shoot people." "That's so, I had forgotten," said Billy. "But as you are a witch, can't you----" "I am a Was, remember."