“Sometimes if you throw a frog against a wall it will do it,” volunteered the Pixie. He spoke as if he had no interest in the matter.
“Do what?” asked Wendell.
“Break the spell, of course.”
Wendell hated to do it. He didn’t like the frog, to be sure, but that was no reason for hurting it. However, he advanced, under the compulsion of the Pixie’s words, grasped the smooth, cold creature, and hurled it against the wall—then jumped back startled.
CHAPTER VI
THE STORY OF THE ENCHANTED MAIDEN
“Jumping caterpillars!” ejaculated the Pixie. “I guessed right.”
“You are naturally surprised,” said the Beauteous Maiden, in a low melodious voice, “to see me in place of that odious frog. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for giving me back my natural form, though it can be only for a brief time.”
“Have a chair,” said Wendell as soon as he could recover from the shock.
“Thank you,” said the maiden, seating herself and gracefully crossing one knee over the other. “As the story of my life is a long one and my time is short, I will begin it at once.”