"Here in Coven Tree we're no strangers to magic. I'm not talking about the rabbit-from-a-hat or coin-up-the-sleeve variety, either. I mean REAL magic." Prologue, p. 3.

"He put me in mind of Santa Claus, shaved and dressed for warm weather." Ibid, p. 7

"'I want ever so badly to be liked ... and not just by Leland and Lenora either. I want people to greet me and not walk on the other side of the street whenever they set eyes on me. And especially I want Agatha Benthorn to invite me to her house for tea ... I'm wishing that people will pay attention to me. And smile when they see me ... ...'" "Jug-a-Rum", p. 30 - Polly's Wish.

"For the first time she could remember, Polly was deep down scared. Twice yesterday, the only sound she had been able to make was a bullfrog's deep jug-a-rum. Even now she was afraid to...