“Uncle Gabriel,” Stephen said, “has s-simply g-got to stump up.”
“What if he won’t?” Colin had asked.
“We’ll bribe Aunt V. to bewitch him,” said Frid. She pulled her cloak over her head, crouched down, crooked her fingers and croaked:
“Weary se’nnights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine.”
The twins instantly turned themselves into witches and circled with Frid round the heater.
“Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.”
“Shut up,” said Henry. “I thought you said it was unlucky to quote ‘Macbeth.’ ”
“If we gave Aunt V. the ingredients for a charm,” said Colin, “I expect she’d be only too pleased to make Uncle G. dwindle, peak and pine.”