“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.”