ilence reigned over the three back gardens. Then Miss
Gregoria Mush emerged and came towards the seat by the fence. A figure
was already seated there in the half dusk, a figure swathed in a toga
with the toga drawn also over its drooping head.

"Gregorius!" said the President. "How dear of you to come in costume!"

The figure made no movement.

"You know what I have in my heart, Gregorius?"

Still no answer.

"Your heart is too full for words," she said kindly. "The thought of
having your destiny linked with mine takes speech from you. But have
courage, dear Gregorius. You shall work for me. We will do great
things together. We will be married at the little church."

Still no answer.

"Gregorius!" she murmured tenderly:

She leant against him suddenly, and he yielded beneath the pressure
with a sudden sound of dissolution. Two cushions slid to the ground,
the toga fell back, revealing a broomstick with a turnip fixed firmly
to the top. It bore the legend:

[Illustration: APRIL FOOL]

And from the other side of the fence came a deep sigh of satisfaction
from the artist behind the scenes.

CHAPTER XIV

WILLIAM'S CHRISTMAS EVE

It was Christmas. The air was full of excitement and secrecy. William,
whose old-time faith in notes to Father Christmas sent up the chimney
had died a natural death as the result of bitter experience, had
thoughtfully presented each of his friends and relations with a list
of his immediate requirements.

Things I want for Crismus
1. A Bicycle.
2. A grammerfone.
3. A pony.
4. A snake.
5. A monkey.
6. A Bugal
7. A trumpit
8. A red Injun uniform
9. A lot of sweets.
10. A lot of books.

He had a vague and not unfounded misgiving that his family would begin
at the bottom of the list instead of the top. He was not surprised,
therefore, when he saw his father come home rather later than usual
carrying a parcel of books under his arm. A few days afterwards he
announced casually at breakfast:

"Well, I only hope no one gives me 'The Great Chief,' or 'The Pirate
Ship,' or 'The Land of Danger' for Christmas."

His father started.

"Why?" he said sharply.

"Jus' 'cause I've read them, that's all," explained William with a
bland look of innocence.

The glance that Mr. Brown threw at his offspring was not altogether
devoid of suspicion, but he said nothing. He set off after breakfast
with the same parcel of