6
◈“You’d better come in here and sit down,” said the witch.
“I’ll be going on, thank you,” said Holden.
“Are you afraid of Jud Crogan’s father, when he comes for that gun?” asked the witch with a hideous grin.
Holden’s dignity made him stiffen. “Certainly not,” said he.
“Very well,” said the witch. “If you come in, I’ll give you tea and toasted muffins and strawberry jam. Besides, there might be a crumb or two for that wolf.”
The latter, as though he understood only her last word, shrank closer to the master and snarled viciously.
“What an ugly dog,” said the witch. “Come in!” She opened the gate.
“My name,” said Tom, tucking his hat under his arm, as he had heard that young men should do, “is Thomas Holden.”
“Very well, Tom,” said the witch, holding her skirts aside from the dus
