Elfin Hollow (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ... book, with oaken covers and brazen clasps. Simkin tried to read it. Its pages were closely written. It was in Latin, and he had enough of schoolboy learning to pronounce the words, if not to understand them. He began.to read a sentence aloud. As he did so, he started, for some one tapped him on the shoulder. He looked round. No one was to be seen. "It could only have been a spirit," said Simkin. You will observe that he was so much used to having unseen spirits about him, that he did not feel any particular dread of them. "Perhaps," continued Simkin, "this is a book of charms that will give one power over the spirits. I will go over that sentence again." He did so, and when he reached the same word as before, there came another tap on his shoulder. "Hullo " cried Simkin. "What are you tapping me for?" "What did you call me for?" squeaked a little, thin voice, like the grating of a rusty hinge. "I didn't call you," said Simkin. "Yes, but you did. That is the charm which bids me and my fellows obey, to the last tittle, every command of the mortal who utters it. What do you order us to do?" "This is grand " thought Simkin. "I'm in luck's way now. I know what I'll tell them to do." Bread and milk, boiled mutton and rice-pudding, thicK bread-and-butter, and no supper, may be very wholesome, but it is possible to grow tired of them. Simkin was tired of them; and besides, he naturally loved nice things to eat. He was almost as eager for them as are that greedy cock, and hens, and chickens, for the food which the little damsel has in her hand. Simkin hesitated for a moment, and then said--"I'll trouble you to bring me a roast turkey...".