"Of course," he replied, promptly³. "They grow over at the north edge of the forest, in the open country. But you must never eat them, my dear friend, because they are very bad for birds."

 

"But the Royal Necromancer⁴ of the King Bird of Paradise says the tingle-berries will restore us to our proper forms," explained the girl.

 

"Oh; did he say that? Then he probably knows," said the bluejay, "and I will help you to find the berries. We birds always avoid them, for they give us severe pains in our stomachs."

 

"That's bad," observed Chubbins, uneasily.

 

"Well," said Twinkle, "I'd be willing to have a pain or two, just to be myself again."

 

"So would I, if it comes to that," agreed the boy. "But I'd rather have found a way to be myself without getting the pain."

 

"There is usually but one thing that will overcome an enchantment," remarked the bluejay, seriously; "and if it is a tingle-berry that will destroy the charm which the old tuxix put upon you, then nothing else will answer the same purpose. The Royal Necromancer is very wise, and you may depend upon what he says. But it is late, at this season, for tingle-berries. They do not grow at all times of the year, and we may not be able to find any upon the bushes."

 

"Cannot we go at once and find out?" asked Twinkle, anxiously.

 

"To be sure. It will grieve me to lose you, my little friends, but I want to do what will give you the most happiness. Come with me, please."

 

They flew away through the forest, and by and by came upon the open country to the north, leaving all the trees behind them.

 

"Why, this is the place we entered the forest, that day we got 'chanted!" cried Twinkle.

 

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