236 Old Stories
it the witches. In they flocked through keyholes and cracks, until they filled the room, The visitors brought with them many shining dishes of gold and silver, and prepared for a feast.
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When everything was ready they invited the clergyman to partake. Although he knew very well that if he ate with witches he would become one, he accepted the invitation.
“But,” he said, “it is my habit to ask a blessing before eating;” and at once began it.
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The witches couldn’t “stand blessings, and fled helter-skelter, leaving feast and plate in possession of the preacher. Whether he ate the whole feast himself or not is not related. At any rate, Rev. Mr. Hooker secured the gold and silver dishes; and the next morning, while continuing his journey, a crow flapping along overhead shouted to him, “You are Hooker by
