"By and by, the Witch missed her children and, induced by maternal instinct, went out looking for them, and so came to the abode of the Constrictor. They had been on good enough terms and she approached him affably.
"'Good morning, Mr. Constrictor,' said she.
"'Good afternoon, Mrs. Witch,' said the Constrictor.
"'Have you seen my children?' asked the lady.
"'I have not', said the Constrictor.
"The Witch was about to depart when a thought seemed to seize her and she turned just about half way, assuming what may be designated as a suddenly reflective attitude;
"'Are you sure, Mr. Constrictor?' said she.
"'I am sure,' said he.
"Only a person with nerves under absolute control could have been present on that occasion and considered unmoved the changes in the Witch's face. The accumulative grimness of her countenance became something startling. She spoke slowly but her voice had that hard, low, even tone which we read about in novels.
"'What is the reason that you are so big in the middle?' said she.