Wildoak

Maggie is afraid and mesmerized by Rumpus’s beauty as she reaches out tentatively to touch him. Rumpus begins to bat at her, and she plays with him carefully, putting her mitten back on when his claws accidentally scratch her bare skin. When Rumpus alerts to a noise and runs off, Maggie is suddenly aware of how dangerous it might be if someone other than her discovers his presence in Wildoak.

After she returns to the cottage, she asks Fred what would happen to a snow leopard discovered in Wildoak. Although he reminds her again that this could never happen, he supposes that the big cat would be fortunate to just be sent to a zoo. Then, Fred suggests that Maggie write a letter to her mother, which she is happy to do. He also offers to show Maggie his Winged Wonder, which is the flying car that he is working on. Maggie is delighted by the strange contraption, and Fred offers to take her for a ride in it, explaining that it does not yet fly, but “It might…one day” (152).