deal table, one wooden chair, a hard bed, a tin bath, and a little
inconvenient fireplace. No guest may bring into the house more than
can be carried out again in one large suit-case. Carpets, rugs,
mirrors, and any single garment costing more than three guineas,
are prohibited. Any guest proved to have made use of a taxi, or to
have travelled anywhere first class, or to have bought cigarettes
or sweets costing more than three shillings a hundred or
eighteenpence a pound respectively, or to have paid more than three
and sixpence (war-tax included) for a seat in any place of
entertainment, will be instantly expelled. Dogs, cats, goldfish,
and other superhuman companions are encouraged.

Working guests are preferred, but if not at work, guests must spend
at least eighteen hours out of the twenty-four entirely alone. No
guest may entertain or be entertained except under special license
obtainable from the Superintendent.

There is a pump in the back yard. There is no telephone, no
electric light, no hot water system, no attendance, and no modern
comfort whatever. Tradesmen are forbidden to call. There is no
charge for residence in this house.

"It certainly sounds an unusual place," admitted Sarah Brown. "Is the
house always full?"

"Never," said the witch. "A lot of people can swallow everything but the
last clause. We have at present one guest, called Peony."

She replaced the prospectus in the drawer, which she then tried to shut.
While she was engaged in this thundering endeavour, Sarah Brown noticed