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Ben just shook his head He put a hand into his backpack for his bottle of water and a few of the olives the professor had given hi theers felt so hairy He snatched his hand out in alarm

"What’s up?" asked Sorrel

"I think there’s a mouse in my backpack," said Ben

"A mouse?" Sorrel put down her htning With one swift

"Well, take a look at this!" she cried "What have we here?"

"Twigleg!" cried Ben, staring at the hoet into my backpack? And why," he added, baffled, "have you kept so quiet till now?"

"Oh, youngto free hirasp, but no irl held hio of"How can I explain anything with you squeezing o," said Ben "You’re hurting him"

Reluctantly Sorrel put the ho Looking injured, he straightened his jacket

"So, why didn’t you say anything before?" repeated Ben

"Why didn’t I say anything? Because of her, of course!" Twigleg pointed a treer at Sorrel "I know she wants to be rid of me So, I hid in the backpack And after that," he added, rubbing his nose and giving Sorrel a nasty look, "after that I kept quiet because I was afraid she’d throw rowled Sorrel "Not a bad idea at all"

"Sorrel!" Ben dug his elbow into the brownie’s ribs Then, looking concerned, he turned to the ho Honestly She’s very nice really She just acts like she’s so … so …" He glanced sideways at Sorrel "So hard-hearted all the tiave Sorrel another suspicious look Sorrel responded with a scowl

"Here" Ben pushed a few crury, aren’t you?"

"My hu cleared his throat, embarrassed "I’ll just catch myself a few flies"

"Flies?" Ben looked incredulously at the ed his shoulders aardly

"Flies! Yuck, putrid panther-caps!" said Sorrel "Sounds just like you, you spider-legged fairy-ring cha’s done nothing to hurt you Okay? He freed you froe, remember?"

"Oh, very well" Sorrel turned back to her ht, I promise I won’t throw him into the sea Happy now? So let’s think about the question you’re going to ask the djinn with the thousand eyes After all, that’s why you woke me up"

"Okay" Ben nodded and took a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket "I’ve written down a few ideas Listen"

"Just a moment," Sorrel interrupted "Do ant the ain! Why shouldn’t he hear it?"

Sorrel looked Twigleg up and down "Why should he?" she replied tartly "If you ask ht to hear our question"