"'Being a frog,' replied Arthur.
"'Have you not always? Oh no; I presume you were once a tadpole; all frogs are at first.'
"'Indeed I never was a tadpole,' said Arthur, indignantly; and then, it seeming somewhat a funny idea to him, he began to laugh in the hoarsest, croakiest kerthumps, which brought
him to his senses again. Then he added, to the little brown bird which fluttered about him in some agitation, 'No, I never was a tadpole—I was a boy named Arthur a few moments ago.'
"'Aha!' twittered the little brown bird, 'I see now: you have been bewitched.'
"'I suppose so,' said Arthur, 'and I would gladly be bewitched into a boy again, if that would do any good.'
"'I must try and see what I can do for you. I am very busy repairing my nest—it was injured in the last storm; but I will go as soon as I can to see one of the herb elves, and find out what is to be done. You must have displeased them very much.'
"'You are very kind,' replied Arthur, taking no notice of the latter words.
"'Oh no, not at all; it is a pleasure,' said the little brown bird.
"'Can I do anything for you?' asked Arthur, roused into politeness by the pleasant manners of his little friend.