It would not be genius if it could . And the Story Girl had genius . As we left the orchard I walked along behind Uncle Roger and Aunt Olivia . `` That was an uncanny exhibition for a girl of fourteen , you know , Roger , '' said Aunt Olivia musingly . `` What is in store for that child ? '' `` Fame , '' said Uncle Roger . `` If she ever has a chance , that is , and I suppose her father will see to that . At least , I hope he will . You and I , Olivia , never had our chance . I hope Sara will have hers . '' This was my first inkling of what I was to understand more fully in later years . Uncle Roger and Aunt Olivia had both cherished certain dreams and ambitions in youth , but circumstances had denied them their `` chance '' and those dreams had never been fulfilled . `` Some day , Olivia , '' went on Uncle Roger , `` you and I may find ourselves the aunt and uncle of the foremost actress of her day . If a girl of fourteen can make a couple of practical farmers and a pair of matter-of-fact housewives half believe for ten minutes that she really is a snake , what wo n't she be able to do when she is thirty ? Here , you , '' added Uncle Roger , perceiving me , `` cut along and get off to your bed . And mind you do n't eat cucumbers and milk before you go . '' CHAPTER XXIV . THE BEWITCHMENT OF PAT We were all in the doleful dumps -- at least , all we `` young fry '' were , and even the grown-ups were sorry and condescended to take an interest in our troubles . Pat , our own , dear , frolicsome Paddy , was sick again -- very , very sick . On Friday he moped and refused his saucer of new milk at milking time .
The next morning he stretched himself down on the platform by Uncle XXXXX 's back door , laid his head on his black paws , and refused to take any notice of anything or anybody .
BEWITCHMENT Olivia Pat Roger Sara XXIV day grown-ups left years