(Reads) “Take scammony and rue,

With henbane gathered in a fat churchyard—

Pound in a mortar with three drops of blood,

Drawn from a serpent’s tail at dead of night.

Yes, yes, that’s plain enough! (reads) “Take pigeon’s egg

Wrapped in the skin of a beheaded toad,

And then—” (sees Vavir) Who’s there?

Vav. (astonished).Why, Mousta?

Mous.Pardon me,

I’m at my book. I did not hear thy step.