"Indeed and I have finished," he cried with a yawn and throwing the
manuscript on the table, "and I don't know in the least what it is all
about, Phronsie."

"Just a lot of dreadful words," said Clare over in the corner, pulling
at a heap of costumes on the floor. "Never mind; the horrible spell is
broken; come on, you fellows, and tumble into your dragon skins!"

With that the chief dragon deserted Phronsie, and presently there
resounded the rattle of the scales, the clanking of chains, and the
dragging about of the rest of their paraphernalia.

"Now, Phronsie," said Jasper, coming back, half-within his dragon skin
and gesticulating, "you see that it's only I in this thing. Look, dear!
here goes in my head," and he pulled on the scaly covering, observing
great care to smile reassuringly the last thing before his countenance
was obscured.

Phronsie screamed with delight and clapped her hands. "Oh, Jasper! let
me have one on, do, Jasper! I'd much rather be a dragon than a princess.
Really and truly I would, Jasper."

"I don't agree with you," said Jasper, in a muffled voice. "Phew! this
is no end stuffy, fellows. I can't stand it long."

"I'm all coming to pieces," said Ben, turning around to regard his back
where the scales yawned fearfully.

"I'll run and ask Mamsie to come and sew you up," cried Polly, flying