faith, there's no call for magic.' Puck's slow smile broadened all
over his face.

'But what have boots to do with it?' said Una, perching on the gate.

'There's Cold Iron in them,' said Puck, and settled beside her.
'Nails in the soles, I mean. It makes a difference.'

'How?'
'Can't you feel it does? You wouldn't like to go back to bare
feet again, same as last year, would you? Not really?'

'No-o. I suppose I shouldn't - not for always. I'm growing
up, you know,' said Una.

'But you told us last year, in the Long Slip - at the theatre - that
you didn't mind Cold Iron,'said Dan.

'I don't; but folks in housen, as the People of the Hills call them,
must be ruled by Cold Iron. Folk in housen are born on the near
side of Cold Iron - there's iron 'in every man's house, isn't there?
They handle Cold Iron every day of their lives, and their fortune's
made or spoilt by Cold Iron in some shape or other. That's how it
goes with Flesh and Blood, and one can't prevent it.'

'I don't quite see. How do you mean?'said Dan.

'It would take me some time to tell you.'

'Oh, it's ever so long to breakfast,' said Dan. 'We looked in the