"They're all out, tick tock," said the Clock. "But it is dangerous to remain, for Grater is very angry and desperate to-night."
Hortense looked in the glass case for her charm but could not find it.
"You had best get it back somehow," said the Clock. "It gives Jeremiah and Grater power."
"But how can I?" said Hortense anxiously.
"Who can say?" said the Clock. "But in time anything may happen."
"Do you know what will happen?" Hortense asked exasperatedly. "If you are Time, everything will happen in you, and so you must know what everything is and will be."
"I know, but I do not say," the Clock replied. "That is how I keep my reputation for wisdom."
Hortense hurried back to the others, and they proceeded beyond the house and through the woods until they neared the raspberry patch.
"You go ahead," said Hortense to Owl, "and spy out the land. Perhaps some of the Little People are about."
Owl flew off as directed and returned shortly to say, "Two of the guard are seated on the edge of the strawberry field. I could not hear what they said, but perhaps if you creep quietly through the bushes you can overhear."