Noche

The frogs' legs weren't as bad as the children had expected. They slid quickly out of the tin and into the
pan, which Susie was holding over the fire. Although they weregreyish−brown and very unpleasant, Martha
was relieved to see that they didn't look like real legs. She had been feeling sorry for the poor frogs.
But William was lookingcrossly into the pan. `We paid a lot for them!' he said. `I hope they're worth it.'
The children had made a small fire just inside the door of the barn. They often cameto play here, as it
was only just outside the village of Steeple Hampden, where they lived. Nobody else seemed to use the big,
empty building. The barn's old walls weremade of rough stone, which appeared to change colour when the
sunlight touched it, and the barn roof had green and gold plants climbing all over it. On the other side of thebuilding was a big house, standing alone in the middle of the fields. Inside the barn, the only light came
through the large double doors and one or two holes in theroof. So it was difficult to see into all the corners,
which always looked dark and mysterious.
It was William who had first suggested making a witch's brew, some weeksbefore. He had got the idea
from his father, who was a teacher at the village school.
`It's what witches used to do!' he had told Susie and Martha excitedly. `You know, putall kinds of
things into a pan, and heat it over a fire. We can collect all the things, and make a fire in the barn. It'll be fun!
Just a small fire, of course. We won'tbe able to play there any more if we cause any damage. Look, I've
written it all down. My dad told me what we need. It's in an old book he's got. Look here's the list!'