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Seth thought about that What if we can get her to tell us where Grandpa is?

Or both, Kendra said, getting excited I bet she would do just about anything to be released I’ht actually get out of this ht that we don’t have many options

We should sleep on it, Kendra said We’re both worn out We can decide what to do in the

Okay

Kendra climbed into bed, slid under the covers, let her head sink into the pillow, and fell asleep before another thought entered her mind Maybe we shouldn’t have rinsed the milk out of our clothes, Seth said Then we could churn butter while alk

Foul!

By the end of the day I urt in my armpits

You’re psychotic, said Kendra

Then we could add some of Lena’s jam and make it fruit-at-the-bottom

Quit it!

Seth seemed pleased with himself Goldilocks rode in the wheelbarrow inside a burlap sack he had found in the pantry They had tried to bend the cage back into shape, but could not get the door to stay on The sack had a drawstring, which they pulled snugly around the hen’s neck so her head could stick out

It was hard to think of the chicken as Grandrand She showed no reaction to the announce to see Muriel, and she had laid an egg on Kendra’s bed during the night

Kendra and Seth had awakened just before sunrise In the barn they had found the wheelbarrohich they deter Goldilocks the entire way to

It was Kendra’s turn pushing the wheelbarrow The chicken see the fresh air The weather was pleasant-sunny and ithout being hot

Kendra wondered how the negotiations with Muriel would go In the end, they had decided it would do no harm to see what terms they could reach with the witch

Then they could base their final decision on the facts of what Muriel would be willing to do, rather than conjecture

They had loaded food, clothes, tools, and utensils in the wheelbarrow, in case they ht be able to barter with coled on Midsummer Eve, but they found a few unshredded ite her They had , as well as to drink some themselves

The trails to the shack were not difficult to remember

Presently they identified the leafy structure where the witch lived Leaving the wheelbarrow, Seth carried the chicken, while Kendra collected an ar items Kendra had already reminded Seth to stay calm and be polite no matter what happened, but she repeated the adea rubber band while clacking castanets

When they got around to the front door, they found the gri her limberjack dance with the other

I did not hope to have visitors again so soon, laughed the witch when her song ended Pity about Stanley

What do you know about our Grandpa? Seth asked

The woods are all abuzz with news of his abduction, Muriel said The naiadic housekeeper as well, if one is to lend an ear to the gossip Quite the scandal

Do you knohere they are? Seth tried

Look at all the lovely gifts you brought ether The quilt is gorgeous, but it would be ruined in enerosity on ht these to trade, Kendra said

Trade? the witch asked theatrically, s her lips

Fora toll for my hospitality Coether

Not to trade for tea, Seth said, holding up Goldilocks We want you to change our grande for a chicken?

She is the chicken, Kendra explained

The witch grinned, stroking her chin I thought I recognized her, she ht, the other reduced to poultry

We can offer you a quilt, a bathrobe, a toothbrush, and a lot of ho as that y of a knot unraveling to work any spell capable of restoring your grandmother to her former state

We can’t untie your last knot, Seth said Grandpa would be furious

The witch shrugged My predicament is simple

Imprisoned in this shack, I a to do with ness to compromise-the dilemma is that the only way for me to fulfill your request would be to harness the power stored in the final knot The decision lies in your hands I have no other options

If we untie the last knot, will you also tell us where our Grandpa was taken? Kendra asked

Child, I would love nothing randfather But the truth of the iest notion where he was taken Again, it would require loosing my knot in order for me to marshal sufficient power to discern his whereabouts

Could you find Grandpa and change Grandma with the power from one knot? Kendra asked

Lamentably, I would have the opportunity to accomplish only one feat or the other Both would not be possible

Unless you figure out a way, you won’t have a chance to do either, Seth said

Then we have reached an iized

If you tell me we have no deal unless I am able to accomplish the impossible, then we have no deal I could fulfill either of your requests, but not both

If we have you change Grandma back, Kendra asked, could you help us find Grandpa once you’re free?

Perhaps, the witch uarantees, once free I could probably use randfather

Hoe know you won’t attack us if we let you go? Seth asked

A fair question, Muriel said I er to work ive you my word as a practitioner of the ancient art that I will not inflict any harrandmother upon my deliverance from this confinement If I held any malice, it would be toward those who initiated o, not those who set , I would consider myself indebted

And you would prorandrandfather have never held me inStan, I will give it

We need to talk about this in private, Kendra said

Be uest, Muriel said

Kendra and Seth returned to the path Kendra du items in the wheelbarrow She spoke in a soft whisper I don’t think we have any other choice

I don’t like how nice she’s being, said Seth It’s almost scarier than before I think she’s really anxious to get out

I know But I think we’re just as anxious to restore Grandma and maybe find Grandpa

She’s a liar, Seth cautioned I don’t think we can count on any of her promises

Probably not

We should expect her to attack us as soon as she’s free

If not, great, but I brought salt, whatever good that will do