The Cruise of the Make-Believes

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Gallon Tom. The Cruise of the Make-Believes

CHAPTER I. THE PRINCESS NEXT DOOR

CHAPTER II. THE KING OF A LEAN KINGDOM

CHAPTER III. THE PRINCE JUMPS OVER THE WALL

CHAPTER IV. THE PRINCESS GOES TO DINNER

CHAPTER V. THE GREAT GAME OF MAKE-BELIEVE

CHAPTER VI. SCHEMERS AND DREAMERS

CHAPTER VII. FAREWELL TO ARCADIA STREET

CHAPTER VIII. THE PRINCE CUTS THE KNOT

CHAPTER IX. AND THE PRINCESS TIES IT AGAIN

CHAPTER X. A DESPERATE REMEDY

CHAPTER XI. PURSUIT

CHAPTER XII. MISS MAKE-BELIEVE WAKES UP

CHAPTER XIII. MISERY MAKES STRANGE BOAT-FELLOWS

CHAPTER XIV. THE CASTAWAYS

CHAPTER XV. THE SIMPLE LIFE

CHAPTER XVI. THE AMAZING PRINGLE

CHAPTER XVII. EXPLANATIONS

CHAPTER XVIII. MISS MAKE-BELIEVE ESCAPES

CHAPTER XIX. THE LAMPS ARE LIT IN ARCADIA STREET

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ARCADIA STREET is noted – locally, at least – for its "gardens." By this term I would not have you understand that hidden away in that corner of Islington are bowers of beauty, or that you may stroll at eventide under the drooping branches of trees, what time the soft scents of flowers are wafted to your nostrils. Rather let it be said that attached to each dingy house is a dingy plot of ground that is only a "garden" by courtesy – a place where the primeval instincts of man have from time to time urged him to dig in the earth, for the sole reason that it is earth, and in the mad hope to raise from it something that no other London garden has yet accomplished. The moon that looks down on each slip of ground at night knows differently; she has seen the thing being done for generation after generation, and finally given up in despair. Also the cats look on tolerantly, because they too know how it will end, and that the victory will be with them easily in the long run.

You may look into many such gardens, and may see for yourselves how bravely they began – with what high hopes. Here, for example, is what was once intended to be a summer-house; and it has long since fallen into decay, and become a place where the shabby things that are not wanted even in a shabby house have been tossed from time to time, and left to ruin. You will see creepers that started well, and intended great things, and clung quite bravely to walls; until the London atmosphere and neglect and one thing and another put an end to them. And you may see rows and rows of pots, wherein nothing grows nor ever will grow, and wherein the very earth that fills them is of a consistency known nowhere else. Here and there, too, a bit of trellis-work had been put up and painted; in Arcadia gardens it is generally found to be an easy hanging place for cloths and doubtful-looking garments.

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"The lowest of the beasts drink water," said Aubrey, with a chuckle. "And I never heard of you doin' that."

While Bessie stood looking helplessly from one to the other, and while a savage retort rose to the lips of old Meggison, the door leading from the house was opened, and a little servant-maid appeared. A precise and prim little maid, who, having come from some institution but a little time before, had felt ever since that she was seeing life as she had never hoped to see it; to her, indeed, the sorry garden was a place of delight. She came out now almost with eagerness, bringing that despised coffee on a battered tray, and set it on the rickety table. And at the same time announced some startling news.

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