CHAPTER XVIII.
WHEN THE WIZARD WAVED HIS WAND "Don't forget for a minute," cautioned Hugh, as they started on their way toward the humble cottage home of Matilda and her husband, "that Brother Lu asked us to act quite natural when we came along." "I'm on," responded Thad, though it was only with the greatest difficulty that he seemed able to repress the glow in his eyes that told of secret joy.

"He means by that, you are to ask Matilda whether she's ready for another batch of sewing stuff that both of our mothers have ready, which I happen to know is the case.

And then I suppose Brother Lu will ask us to join them on their little holiday outing, since he's made himself master of ceremonies for today.

Say, will a hungry fish snap at an angleworm when it's dangled just in front of its nose?
Well, we'll thank Brother Lu for being so kind, and as we have nothing else to do we'll accept with celerity, eh, Hugh?
Is that the programme ?" So talking and laughing, they walked on.

Soon they arrived at the cottage, where they found the three inmates just getting ready to start forth.