"I prefer to stay here," said Ervic

"In another person's home, where wanted ? "

"Yes "

" your curiosity yet satisfied ? " demanded Reera, with smile

"I don't know anything else do ? "

"Many things But why should I exhibit my powers to stranger ? "

" think of no reason at all," he replied

She looked at him curiously

" no power , you say, and you're too stupid to steal my secrets This isn't pretty cottage, while outside are sunshine, broad prairies and beautiful wildflowers Yet you insist on sitting bench and annoying me with your unwelcome presence What kettle ? "

"Three fishes," he answered readily

"Where did you get them ? "

"I caught them Lake Skeezers "

"What intend fishes ? "

" carry them home of friend who has three children The children will love the fishes for pets "

She came over bench and looked kettle, where the three fishes were swimming quietly water

"They're pretty," said Reera "Let me transform them into something else "

"No," objected the Skeezer

"I love to transform things; it's so interesting And I've never transformed any fishes in all my life "

"Let them alone," said Ervic

"What shapes would you prefer them ? make them turtles, or cute little sea-horses; or make them piglets, or rabbits, or guinea-pigs; or, like make chickens , or eagles, or bluejays "

"Let them alone ! " repeated Ervic

"You're not very pleasant visitor," laughed Red Reera "People accuse me of being cross and crabbed and unsociable, and quite right had come here pleading and begging for favors, and half afraid Yookoohoo magic, I'd have abused you until you ran away; but you're quite different You're the unsociable and crabbed and disagreeable one, and so I like you, and bear with your grumpiness It's time midday meal; hungry ? "

"No," said Ervic, although he really desired food

"Well, ," Reera declared and clapped her hands together Instantly table appeared, spread with linen and bearing dishes of various foods, some smoking hot There were two plates laid, one at each end table, and Reera seated herself all her creatures gathered around her, as were accustomed fed when she ate The wolf squatted at her right hand kittens and chipmunks gathered at her left

"Come, Stranger, sit down and eat," she called cheerfully, "and while we're eating decide into what forms change your fishes "

"They're all right ," asserted Ervic, drawing up his bench table "The fishes are beauties -- one gold, one silver and one bronze Nothing that has life is more lovely than beautiful fish "

"What ! Am I not more lovely ? " Reera asked, smiling at his serious face

"I don't object -- for Yookoohoo, ," , helping himself food and eating with good appetite

"And don't you consider beautiful girl more lovely than fish, however pretty the fish ? "

"Well," replied Ervic, after period of thought, "that transformed my three fish into three girls -- girls Adepts at Magic, please me fish do You won't , because 't, with all your skill And, should you , my troubles more than bear not consent my slaves -- especially were Adepts at Magic -- and so command me to obey them No, Mistress Reeraq not transform the fishes at all "

The Skeezer had put his case with remarkable cleverness He realized that if he appeared anxious for such transformation the Yookoohoo perform it, yet he had skillfully suggested be made Adepts at Magic

Chapter Nineteen

Red Reera, the Yookoohoo

meal was over and Reera had fed her pets, including the four monster spiders which had come down from their webs to secure their share, she made the table disappear floor cottage

" you'd consent to my transforming your fishes," she said, as she took up her knitting again

The Skeezer made no reply He thought it unwise to hurry matters All during the afternoon they sat silent Once Reera went to her cupboard and after thrusting her hand same drawer as before, touched the wolf and transformed it into bird with gorgeous colored feathers This bird was larger than parrot and of somewhat different form, but Ervic had never seen one like it before

"Sing ! " said Reera bird, which had perched itself on big wooden peg -- it cottage before and knew just what

bird sang jolly, rollicking songs with words -- just as person who carefully trained might do The songs were entertaining and Ervic enjoyed listening In an hour or so the bird stopped singing, tucked its head under its wing and went to sleep Reera continued knitting but seemed thoughtful

Now Ervic had marked this cupboard drawer well and had concluded that Reera took something which enabled her to perform her transformations He thought that if he managed to remain cottage, and Reera fell asleep, slyly open the cupboard, take portion of whatever was drawer, and by dropping it copper kettle transform the three fishes into their natural shapes Indeed, he had firmly resolved to carry out this plan Yookoohoo put down her knitting and walked toward the door

"I'm going out ," said she; " wish with me, or remain here ? "

Ervic answer but sat quietly bench So Reera went out and closed the cottage door

she was gone, Ervic rose and tiptoed cupboard

"Take care ! Take care ! " cried several voices, coming kittens and chipmunks " touch anything we'll tell the Yookoohoo ! "

Ervic hesitated moment but, remembering that he need not consider Reera's anger if he succeeded in transforming the fishes, about to open the cupboard when arrested voices fishes, which stuck their heads above the water kettle and called out:

"Come here, Ervic ! "

So he went back kettle and bent over it

"Let the cupboard alone," said the goldfish to him earnestly " succeed by getting that magic powder, for only the Yookoohoo knows how to use it The best way is to allow her to transform us into three girls, for then our natural shapes and to perform all the Arts of Magic learned and well understand acting wisely and most effective manner know you were so intelligent, or that Reera so easily deceived Continue begun and try her to transform us But insist that we be given the forms of girls "

The goldfish ducked its head down just as Reera re- entered the cottage She saw Ervic bent over the kettle, so she came and joined him

"Can your fishes talk ? " she asked

"Sometimes," he replied, "for all fishes Land of Oz know how Just now they were asking me for some bread hungry "

"Well, some bread," said Reera "But nearly supper-time, and allow me to transform your fishes into girls join us table plenty of food much nicer than crumbs let me transform them ? "

"Well," said Ervic, hesitating, " fishes consent, why -- why, then, I'll think it over "

Reera bent over the kettle and asked:

" hear me, little fishes ? "

All three popped their heads above water

" hear you," said the bronzefish

" other forms, such as rabbits, or turtles or girls, or something; but your master, the surly Skeezer, wish me to However, he has agreed plan consent "

"We'd like girls," said the silverfish

"No, no ! " exclaimed Ervic

" promise us three beautiful girls, consent," said the goldfish

"No, no ! " exclaimed Ervic again

"Also make us Adepts at Magic," added the bronzefish

"I don't know exactly what that means," replied Reera musingly, "but as no Adept at Magic is as powerful as Yookoohoo, I'll add that transformation "

"We won't try to harm you, or to interfere with your magic in ," promised the goldfish " contrary, your friends "

" agree away and leave me alone in my cottage, whenever I command you ? " asked Reera

"We promise that," cried the three fishes

"Don't ! Don't consent transformation," urged Ervic

" already consented," said the Yookoohoo, laughing face, "and promised me to abide by their decision So, friend Skeezer, perform the transformation whether you like it or not "

Ervic seated himself bench again, deep scowl face but joy heart Reera moved over cupboard, took something drawer and returned copper kettle She was clutching something tightly in her right hand, but with her left she reached kettle, took out the three fishes and laid them carefully floor, where they gasped in distress at being out of water

Reera keep them in misery more than few seconds, for she touched with her right hand and instantly the fishes were transformed into three tall and slender young women, with fine, intelligent faces and clothed in handsome, clinging gowns The one who goldfish had beautiful golden hair and blue eyes and was exceedingly fair of skin; the one who bronzefish had dark brown hair and clear gray eyes and her complexion matched these lovely features The one who silverfish had snow- white hair finest texture and deep brown eyes The hair contrasted exquisitely with her pink cheeks and ruby-red lips, nor did it make her look day older than her two companions

they secured these girlish shapes, all three bowed low Yookoohoo and said:

" , Reera "

Then they bowed Skeezer and said: