The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel Read Online Free PDF Page A

focus.”
    Mabel sat up straight like Nanny Grimshaw had taught her, but she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the crystal ball. It reminded her of a large, beautiful marble.
    â€œHands off!” Miss Brewer barked, causing Mabel to jerk away. Her cheeks burned.
    â€œI’m sorry, Miss Brewer.”
    â€œWhat I want you to do is think of the color blue, Mabel. Think really hard and try to turn the ball that color.”
    Mabel stared at the crystal, imagining a deep ocean blue. She could feel her magic starting to fizz, and much to her delight the ball began to turn color. Waves of blue swirled around the glass, and she wondered if she could make it go yellow. Mabel pictured a warm golden yellow, and with a squeal of joy she watched the ball change color again. It went from yellow to redto green as Mabel kept switching colors in her head, bouncing up and down in her chair.
    â€œThat’s enough,” Miss Brewer shouted, apparently not for the first time. Mabel blinked in distress, aware that she hadn’t been listening. The headmistress’s face was mottled, and Mabel buried her face in Nora’s sleeve. Her lip trembled and she knew if Miss Brewer shouted at her again, she would cry. But when the headmistress spoke, her voice was surprisingly calm. “I asked you to stop, Mabel. Three times.”
    â€œSorry,” Mabel whispered. “I didn’t hear you, Miss Brewer. I just wanted to make it change color.”
    â€œIf you come to Ruthersfield, Mabel, you will learn to do as you are told. Magic is a wonderful gift, but it is not to be fooled with. Otherwise it can be very dangerous.”
    â€œSorry,” Mabel repeated, daring a look at Miss Brewer. She couldn’t help noticing that the crystal ball was now a dark, muddy brown where the colors had swirled together.
    â€œThat is not blue, is it, Mabel?”
    â€œNo,” Mabel whispered. “It’s not.” She waited for Miss Brewer to tell her what a disaster she was. How she’d never be successful as a witch.
    Instead Miss Brewer sat back in her chair, making a steeple with her fingers. She looked somberly at Nora. “Mabel will need to learn to follow rules, and work on hermanners. But I believe with training and discipline she has the potential to be an excellent witch.” Miss Brewer broke into a smile. “And I would like to offer her a place.”
    â€œHow marvelous!” Nora said, while Mabel stared at Miss Brewer in disbelief.
    â€œThe September after she turns seven we will be expecting her.”
    â€œSeven?” Nora asked. “Isn’t that a little long to wait?”
    â€œMagic in a young child is extremely unstable, which is why we don’t start the teaching process sooner. By seven Mabel’s magic will have settled down and she will be ready to use a wand.” Leaning over her desk, Miss Brewer tapped Mabel on the knee with her glasses. “Sit up straight and get your fingers out of your mouth. Good posture is so important. You’ll find that out when you learn to fly a broomstick.”
    â€œYes, Miss Brewer,” Mabel said, removing her fingers and sitting on her hands so she wouldn’t be tempted to suck on them. She had a feeling they weren’t going to be making things like sand castles that never washed away or ice cream that didn’t melt. It seemed like such a waste, Mabel thought wistfully, to use her magic on becoming a gracious hostess, when there were so many more exciting things she’d rather do with it.

Chapter Four
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Winifred Delacy
    N OT LONG AFTER MABEL’S INTERVIEW, Nora bought a pretty fieldstone house on the outskirts of Potts Bottom, won over by some spectacular Royal Duchess roses blooming in the garden and a tiny, glass greenhouse tucked around the back. It was much less grand than the Melton Bay residence, but Mabel liked the way it felt, friendly and welcoming. Nanny Grimshaw, on the other hand, had