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Serafina’s hairbrush skated under the bed, and her shawl slithered across the wood planks until it snagged on the leg of a chair.
    â€œThe cottage shares a bond with each Baba Yaga and will listen to what you say. Next time, tell it to be careful when it gets up,” said Maks. “It will if you tell it to, and we won’t get rattled around like beetles in a nutshell.”
    â€œI’ll remember that,” Serafina said as she began to clean up the shattered cup. She was shaken, not only by the movement of the cottage but by the things the man had said to her. If only she could avoid answering certain kinds of questions!
    Serafina worried deep into the night about what was going to happen to the man’s wife and her baby and didn’t go to sleep until it was nearly morning.

Chapter 8
    When the cottage finally settled down, it was on the outskirts of a prosperous town. From the very first day, a steady stream of visitors came to ask their questions. There were so many that after a while they all began to run together in Serafina’s mind. One morning, she was cleaning up after her breakfast when she noticed that Maks was licking his paw and scrubbing his face with it. She laughed suddenly, startling the cat.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?” asked Maks.
    â€œNothing,” Serafina said. “I just remembered that a neighbor of mine always told us to expect guests when a cat washes his face. With all the guests we’ve had, you must have been washing your face a lot!”
    Maks twitched his tail. “I don’t think my bathing habits have anything to do with it!”
    They both turned their heads at a knock on the door. Serafina gave the cat a questioning look. “You don’t suppose …,” she began.
    â€œIt’s just a coincidence!” said the cat as he jumped onto a trunk to look out the window. “Your friend has come to see you again,” he announced.
    â€œWhat friend?” Serafina said, even as she went to the door. When she opened it, Dielle was there, holding a single white daisy. “It’s you!” Serafina said in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”
    â€œI came to town to get more medicine for Mother,” Dielle said, handing the daisy to Serafina. “When I heard that you were here, I thought I’d stop by.”
    â€œI’m glad you did! Usually my only visitors are people coming to ask a question.”
    Dielle went straight to the table and sat down. “Then it’s about time you had a friend come calling.”
    â€œAre we friends, then?” Serafina asked, sounding wistful.
    â€œOf course!” said Dielle. “You helped Mother and me more than anyone else ever did, and you can’t tell me you did it for the flowers. We both count you as a friend now. I just hope that someday you’ll get to meet Mother, too.”
    â€œI’d like that very much,” Serafina said. “Which would you prefer, tea or cider?”
    â€œCider, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œHow is your mother?” Serafina asked as she took two cups from the cupboard.
    â€œThe same,” said Dielle. “Which is better than she was before she got the medicine. Tell me something. Why do you look so much older than when I saw you last? It’s been only a few weeks.”
    Serafina shrugged. “It’s part of being Baba Yaga. I answer a question, my body gets older.” Setting the two filled cups on the table, she sat down across from Dielle.
    â€œReally?” said Dielle. “I never would have guessed! How did you end up being Baba Yaga? It’s not a family thing, is it?”
    â€œMy great-aunt was the last Baba Yaga, but I think she gave me the job because she heard somehow that I could read and write, and thought I would be a good fit.”
    â€œYou can read and write! I wish I could. Can you do anything else magic, besides answer questions? I mean,