The little Wizard seemed was rather forlorn hope

"How summon them," he asked the lovely Sorceress, "and how can they hear you ? "

" something consider carefully," responded stately Glinda, with serene smile " find way "

All of Ozma's counsellors applauded this sentiment, for they knew well the powers Sorceress

" ," agreed the Wizard "Summon them, most noble Glinda "

Chapter Eighteen

The Cleverness of Ervic

now return to Ervic the Skeezer, who, when he had set down the copper kettle containing the three fishes gate lonely cottage, had asked, "What next ? "

The goldfish stuck its head above the water kettle and said in its small but distinct voice:

" to lift the latch, open the door, and walk boldly cottage be afraid of anything , for however you threatened with dangers, nothing can harm you The cottage home of powerful Yookoohoo, named Reera the Red, who assumes all sorts of forms, sometimes changing her form in day, according to her fancy What her real form know This strange creature bribed with treasure, or coaxed through friendship, or won by pity She has never assisted anyone, or done wrong to anyone, that of All her wonderful powers are used for her own selfish amusement She will order you house but refuse Remain and watch Reera closely and try what she uses to accomplish her transformations discover the secret whisper it and then tell you what next "

"That sounds easy," returned Ervic, who had listened carefully "But sure she will not hurt me, or try to transform me ? "

"She may change your form," replied the goldfish, "but worry happens, for break that enchantment easily that nothing will harm you, so not be frightened at anything or hear "

Now Ervic was as brave as any ordinary young man, and the fishes who spoke to him were truthful and relied upon, nevertheless he experienced strange sinking heart as he picked up the kettle and approached the door cottage His hand trembled as he raised the latch, but resolved to obey his instructions He pushed the door open, took three strides middle one room the cottage contained, and then stood still and looked around him

The sights that met his gaze were enough to frighten anyone who properly warned floor just before Ervic lay great crocodile, its red eyes gleaming wickedly and its wide open mouth displaying rows of sharp teeth Horned toads hopped about; each four upper corners room was festooned with thick cobweb, center sat spider as big around as washbasin, and armed with pincher-like claws; red-and-green lizard was stretched at full length window-sill and black rats darted in and holes they had gnawed floor cottage

But the most startling thing was huge gray ape which sat upon bench and knitted It wore lace cap, such as old ladies wear, and little apron of lace, but no other clothing Its eyes were bright and looked coals were burning The ape moved as naturally as an ordinary person might, and on Ervic's entrance stopped knitting and raised its head to look at him

"Get out ! " cried sharp voice, seeming ape's mouth

Ervic saw another bench, empty, just beyond him, so he stepped over the crocodile, sat down bench and carefully placed the kettle beside him

"Get out ! " again cried the voice

Ervic shook his head

"No," said he, "I'm going to stay "

The spiders left their four corners, dropped floor and made rush toward the young Skeezer, circling around his legs with their pinchers extended Ervic paid no attention An enormous black rat ran up Ervic's body, passed around his shoulders and uttered piercing squeals ears, but wince The green-and-red lizard, coming window-sill, approached Ervic and began spitting flaming fluid at him, but Ervic merely stared creature and its flame touch him

The crocodile raised its tail and, swinging around, swept Ervic off the bench with powerful blow But the Skeezer managed to save the kettle from upsetting and he got up, shook off the horned toads that were crawling over him and resumed his seat bench

All the creatures, first attack, remained motionless, awaiting orders The old gray ape knitted on, not looking toward Ervic now, young Skeezer stolidly kept his seat He expected something else to happen, but nothing did full hour passed and Ervic was growing nervous

"What ? " the ape asked at last

"Nothing," said Ervic

" that ! " retorted the ape, and all the strange creatures room broke into chorus of cackling laughter

Another long wait

" who ? " questioned the ape

" Reera the Red -- the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered

"Knowing , also know that like strangers Your presence here in my home annoys me not fear my anger ? "

"No," said the young man

" intend to obey me, and leave this house ? " "No," replied Ervic, just as quietly Yookoohoo had spoken

The ape knitted before resuming the conversation

"Curiosity," it said, "has led to many man's undoing I suppose in some way learned that tricks of magic, and so through curiosity come here been told that injure anyone, so bold enough to disobey my commands away You imagine that witness rites of witchcraft, and may amuse you Have I spoken truly ? "

"Well," remarked Ervic, who pondering strange circumstances coming here, " right in some ways, but not in others told that you work magic only for your own amusement That seems very selfish Few people understand magic I'm told that the only real Yookoohoo in all Oz Why don't you amuse others as yourself ? "

"What right to question my actions ? "

"None at all "

"And you say here to demand any favors of me ? "

" nothing "

" wise I never grant favors "

"That doesn't worry me," declared Ervic

"But curious ? You hope to witness some magic transformations ? "

" to perform any magic, go ahead," said Ervic "It may interest me and it may not 'd rather go on with your knitting, it's all the same in no hurry at all "

This puzzled Red Reera, but the face beneath the lace cap could show no expression, being covered with hair Perhaps in all her career the Yookoohoo had never been visited by anyone who, like this young man, asked for nothing, expected nothing, and had no reason for coming except curiosity This attitude practically disarmed the witch and she began to regard the Skeezer in more friendly way She knitted for , seemingly in deep thought, and then she arose and walked to big cupboard that stood against the wall room cupboard door was opened Ervic lot of drawers inside, and into drawers -- the second bottom -- Reera thrust hairy hand

Until now Ervic over the bent form ape, but suddenly the form, with its back to him, seemed to straighten up and blot out the cupboard of drawers The ape had changed form of woman, dressed pretty Gillikin costume, and when she turned around young woman, whose face was quite attractive

" like me better ? " Reera inquired with smile

"You look better," calmly, "but I'm not sure I like you any better "

She laughed, saying: "During the heat day I like an ape, for an ape doesn't wear any clothes of But if one has gentlemen callers proper to dress up "

Ervic noticed her right hand was closed, she held something She shut the cupboard door, bent over the crocodile and in moment the creature had changed to red wolf not pretty even now, wolf crouched beside its mistress as dog done Its teeth looked as dangerous as had those crocodile

Next the Yookoohoo went about touching all the lizards and toads, and at her touch they became kittens The rats she changed into chipmunks Now the only horrid creatures remaining were the four great spiders, which hid themselves behind their thick webs

"There ! " Reera cried, "now my cottage presents more comfortable appearance I love the toads and lizards and rats, because most people hate them, but tire always remained the same Sometimes I change their forms dozen times day "

" clever," said Ervic " hear you utter any incantations or magic words All was to touch the creatures "

"Oh, so ? " she replied "Well, touch them yourself, like, change their forms "

"No," said the Skeezer, "I don't understand magic and if try to imitate your skill wonderful Yookoohoo, while only common Skeezer "

This confession seemed Reera, who liked her witchcraft appreciated

" go away now ? " she asked "I prefer alone "