"So would I, if it comes to that," agreed the boy. "But I'd rather have found a way to be myself without getting the pain."
"There is usually but one thing that will overcome an enchantment," remarked the bluejay, seriously; "and if it is a tingle-berry that will destroy the charm which the old tuxix put upon you, then nothing else will answer the same purpose. The Royal Necromancer is very wise, and you may depend upon what he says. But it is late, at this season, for tingle-berries. They do not grow at all times of the year, and we may not be able to find any upon the bushes."
"Cannot we go at once and find out?" asked Twinkle, anxiously.
"To be sure. It will grieve me to lose you, my little friends, but I want to do what will give you the most happiness. Come with me, please."
They flew away through the forest, and by and by came upon the open country to the north, leaving all the trees behind them.
"Why, this is the place we entered the forest, that day we got 'chanted!" cried Twinkle.
"So it is," said Chubbins. "I believe we could find our way home from here, Twink."
"But we can't go home like we are," replied the girl-lark. "What would our folks say, to find us with birds' bodies?"
"They'd yell and run," declared the boy.
"Then," said she, "we must find the tingle-berries."