chest.

They spent that night in the tree, and that was good, for a storm had
risen outside, and it was bitter cold in the forest.




CHAPTER XI

THE BEAUTIFUL WICKED WITCH


The next morning before Eric woke Ivra slipped away to play with the
Forest Children.

"On such wild days as this they usually play indoors, for they're little
things and the Snow Witches love to tease them," said the Tree Man.

"Perhaps she'll be telling them World Stories," thought Eric, and so he
decided to go to the little moss village, too, for though Ivra had told
him dozens of World Stories by now, he always wanted to hear more. So
after breakfast with the Tree Man and his pretty, shy daughter, he ran
out in search of Ivra.

It was indeed a cold morning, blustering and raw. Eric felt chilled
almost as soon as he was out of doors. Very soon he lost his way, for he
had not been in the forest long enough to grow familiar with landmarks.
Just when he was beginning to be a bit hopeless and pinched with the
cold he came to the big fir where the Beautiful Wicked Witch lived. It