mrs cole, the cook, was a kindly soul who had always been indulgent to claudia.
as the wind and rain howled outside the house, she made claudia a bundle of four sandwiches to take with her into forbidden inhospitable night.
an artichoke sandwich, a bacon and egg sandwich, a mutton sandwich, and a cucumber and eggplant sandwich, all on stout slices of homemade bread, and all lathered liberally with horseradish.
there you are, my dear, the kindly creature informed claudia, each of these should keep you alive for a day, and i am sure that at the end of that time, you will have found good fortune.
claudia was profuse in her expressions of gratitude, and mrs cole interrupted her with a merry laugh.
that is not all i have for you, my dear.
mrs cole, in adddition to being an accomplished cook, was also a witch.
she gave claudia four magical charms to put in her knapsack along with the four sandwiches.
the first was a small wooden doll the size of a thumb of a bear wearing a blue hat, which could be used one time to ward off a murderer.
the little bear had a curious smile on his face, but mrs cole assured claudia it did not signify that he did not mean. serious business.
the second object was a little statue of a court jester, with a cap and bells, about the same size as the bear with the blue hat. despite his apparent occupation, the little fellow had a decidedly serious countenance. he could be used twice to confound false witness , but mrs cole cautioned claudia to be especially careful as to its use.
the third object was about the same size as the first two.
it was a minutely carved wooden square depicting a scene of a knight battling a rhinoceros on the banks of the river jordan. it was painted black, except for the red eyes of the rhinoceros. it could be used three times to ward off extreme cold or heat.
the fourth object was smaller, a smooth blue marble the size of a fingernail. it could be used four times to produce a huge and hearty meal, to offset the effects of ravenous hunger.
mrs cole gave claudia a final admonition against using any of the charms frivolously or except in time of real need, and wrapped the four little objects in a stout handkerchief to be tucked safely in the knapsack.
with a last hug, mrs cole sent claudia out the back door of the kitchen, into the forbidding and relentless night.
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