“It wouldn’t do any harm to try,” said Cecily. “If she didn’t make him sick it won’t matter if she is cross.” “It won’t matter to Pat, but it might to the one who goes to her,” said Felicity. “She isn’t a witch, but she’s a spiteful old woman, and goodness knows what she’d do to us if she caught us. I’m scared of Peg Bowen, and I don’t care who knows it. Ever since I can mind ma’s been saying, ‘If you’re not good Peg Bowen will catch you.’” “If I thought she really made Pat sick and could make him better, I’d try to pacify her somehow,” said the Story Girl decidedly. “I’m frightened of her, too--but just look at poor, darling Paddy.” We looked at Paddy who continued to stare fixedly before him with unwinking eyes. Uncle Roger came out and looked at him also, with what seemed to us positively brutal unconcern. “I’m afraid it’s all up with Pat,” he said. “Uncle Roger,” said Cecily imploringly, “Peter says Peg Bowen has bewitched Pat for scratching her. Do you think it can be so?” “Did Pat scratch Peg?” asked Uncle Roger, with a horror-stricken face. “Dear me! Dear me! That mystery is solved. Poor Pat!” Uncle Roger nodded his head, as if resigning himself and Pat to the worst. “Do you really think Peg Bowen is a witch, Uncle Roger?” demanded the Story Girl incredulously. “Do I think Peg Bowen is a witch? My dear Sara, what do YOU think of a woman who can turn herself into a black cat whenever she likes? Is she a witch? Or is she not? I leave it to you.” “Can Peg Bowen turn herself into a black cat?” asked Felix, staring. “It’s my belief that that is the least of Peg Bowen’s accomplishments,” answered Uncle Roger. “It’s the easiest thing in the world for a witch to turn herself into any animal you choose to mention. Yes, Pat is bewitched--no doubt of that--not the least in the world.” “What are you telling those children such stuff for?” asked Aunt Olivia, passing on her way to the well. “It’s an irresistible temptation,” answered Uncle Roger, strolling over to carry her pail. “You can see your Uncle Roger believes Peg is a witch,” said Peter. “And you can see Aunt Olivia doesn’t,” I said, “and I don’t either.” “See here,” said the Story Girl resolutely, “I don’t believe it, but there MAY be something in it. Suppose there is. The question is, what can we do?” “I’ll tell you what I’D do,” said Peter. “I’d take a present for Peg, and ask her to make Pat well. I wouldn’t let on I thought she’d made him sick. Then she couldn’t be offended--and maybe she’d take the spell off.” “I think we’d better all give her something,” said Felicity. “I’m willing to do that. But who’s going to take the presents to her?” “We must all go together,” said the Story Girl. “I won’t,” cried Sara Ray in terror. “I wouldn’t go near Peg Bowen’s house for the world, no matter who was with me.”