eople, but I do not know whether I shall return in my own shape." She
answered, "Whether you live or die, or are made different, I am your
Mother."

'True,' said Puck. 'The Old Ones themselves cannot change men's mothers
even if they would.'

'Let us thank the Old Ones! I spoke to my Maiden, the Priestess who
waited for me at the Dew-ponds. She promised fine things too.' The man
laughed. 'I went away to that place where I had seen the magician with
the knife. I lay out two days on the short grass before I ventured among
the Trees. I felt my way before me with a stick. I was afraid of the
terrible talking Trees. I was afraid of the ghosts in the branches; of
the soft ground underfoot; of the red and black waters. I was afraid,
above all, of the Change. It came!'

They saw him wipe his forehead once again, and his strong back-muscles
quivered till he laid his hand on the knife-hilt.

'A fire without a flame burned in my head; an evil taste grew in my
mouth; my eyelids shut hot over my eyes; my breath was hot between my
teeth, and my hands were like the hands of a stranger. I was made to
sing songs and to mock the Trees, though I was afraid of them. At the
same time I saw myself laughing, and I was very sad for this fine young
man, who was myself. Ah! The Children of the Night know magic.'

'I think that is done by the Spirits of the Mist. They change a man, if
he sleeps among them,' said Puck. 'Had you slept in any mists?'

'Yes--but I know it was the Children of the Night. After three days I
saw a red light behind the Trees, and I heard a heavy noise. I saw the
Children of the Night dig red stones from a hole, and lay them in fires.
The stones melted like tallow, and the men beat the soft stuff with
hammers. I wished to speak to these men, but the words were changed in
my mouth, and all I could say was, "Do not make that noise. It hurts my
head." By this I knew that I was bewitched, and I clung to the Trees,
and prayed the Children of the Night to take off their spells. They were
cruel. They asked me many questions which they would never allow me to
answer. They changed my words between my teeth till I wept. Then they
led me into a hut and covered the floor with hot stones and dashed water
on the stones, and sang charms till the sweat poured off me like
water. I slept. When I waked, my own spirit--not the strange, shouting
thing--was back in my body, and I was like a cool bright stone on the
shingle between the sea