“‘Double, double, toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble,’”

he said, very softly, to himself, adding, in a little louder tone, as she threw in the lye:

“‘Cool it with a babboon’s blood,

Then the charm is firm and good.’”

Aunt Jerry caught the last line, and turning upon him, ladle in hand, she said, a little proudly:

“I suppose I look so like an old hag that you don’t think I know anything about what you are muttering to yourself, but I do. I held that book before the Bible when I was young, and now,

“‘By the pricking of my thumbs,

I know that

“‘Something wicked this way comes.’”