"I haven't done anything," muttered Merrin, looking anywhere but at Aunt Zelda.
"What are you fish faces staring at?" he yelled. "Go away!" This he addressed to a gathering group of onlookers, most of whom had followed Aunt Zelda down Wizard Way after her argument with Marcia. They took no notice whatsoever; they were having a good day out and were not about to let Merrin spoil it. One or two of them sat down on a nearby bench to watch in comfort.
"Now listen to me, Merrin Meredith - "
"Not my name," Merrin muttered sullenly.
"Of course it's your name."
"Not."
"Well, whatever you call yourself, you listen to me. There are two things you are going to do before I let you go - "
Merrin perked up. So the old witch was going to let him go, was she? His fear of being taken back to that smelly old island in the middle of the Marshes and being forced to eat cabbage sandwiches for the rest of his life began to subside. "What things?" he demanded sulkily.
"First, you will apologize to Barney for what you did to him."
"Didn't do anything to him." Merrin looked at his feet.
"Oh, do stop playing games, Merrin. You know you did. You mugged him, for heaven's sake. And you took his - or rather my - SafeCharm."
"Some SafeCharm," he muttered.
"So you admit it. Now apologize."
The crowd was growing larger, and all Merrin wanted to do was to get out of there.
"Sorry," he muttered.
"Properly," Aunt Zelda demanded.
"Huh?"
"I suggest: 'Barney, I am very sorry that I did such a horrible thing, and I hope you will forgive me.'"
Very reluctantly Merrin repeated Aunt Zelda's words.
"That's all right, Merrin," said Barney happily. "I forgive you."
"So, can I go now?" asked Merrin petulantly.
"I said two things, Merrin Meredith." Aunt Zelda turned to the onlookers. "If you will excuse me, good people, I would like to have a confidential word with this young man. Perhaps you would allow us a few moments?"
The onlookers looked disappointed.
Merrin rallied. "Important Manuscriptorium business," he told them. "Top secret and all that. Good- bye."
Reluctantly the onlookers drifted away.
Aunt Zelda shook her head in exasperation - that boy had nerve. Before Merrin could make a break for it, Aunt Zelda put a hefty boot on the hem of his trailing robes.
"What?" demanded Merrin.
Aunt Zelda lowered her voice. "Now give me the bottle back."
Merrin looked at his boots once more.
"Give it to me, Merrin."