The Halloween Tree
“The huge man in dark clothes soared up out of the leaves, taller and yet taller. He grew like a tree. He put out branches that were hands. He stood framed against the Halloween Tree itself, his outstretched arms and long white bony fingers festooned with orange globes of fire and burning smiles. His eyes were pressed tight as he roared his laughter. His mouth gaped wide to let an autumn wind rush out.
‘Not treat, boys, no, not Treat! Trick, boys, Trick! Trick!‘
They lay there waiting for the earthquake to come. And it came. The tall man’s laughter took hold of the ground and gave it a shake. This tremor passed through their bones, came out their mouths. And it came out in the form of still more laughter!
They sat up amid the ruins of the thrashed-about leaf pile, surprised. They put their hands to their masks to feel the hot air leaping out in small gusts of echoing mirth.
…
‘Is this what you used to do on Halloween?’ asked the Witch.
‘This, and more. But let me introduce myself! Moundshroud is the name. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud. Does that have a ring, boys? Does it sound for you?’
It sounds, the boys thought, oh, oh, it sounds…!
Moundshroud.
‘A fine name,’ said Mr. Moundshroud, giving it a full sepulchral night-church sound. ‘And a fine night. And all the deep dark wild long history of Halloween waiting to swallow us whole!’”
I am an enormous failure as a human being for still not having read this. Can I borrow it when we see each other tonight? Maybe I can read it tomorrow on the happy day itself!