IV 



'LET NOT HIS MISCHIEVOUS IMAGINATIONS 

 PROSPER ' 



Before I proceed any further, as I am going to be 

 brought into close contact from now onwards with 

 man the destroyer, it seems to me to be reasonable 

 that I should enter a solemn protest against all the 

 wicked designs whereby man seeks to ensnare us ; 

 and if my language at times becomes rather digni- 

 fied, and loses some of the sprightly insouciance 

 which has characterized it hitherto, you will recog- 

 nise that I am speaking under the stress of strong 

 mental emotion. 



I think that the above sentence may be rather a 

 thorn in your side. I dare say that you know a 

 few people who are clever enough to explain the 

 words to you — your mother, or your governess, or 

 even your father ; but in case they have all gone to 

 bed, or in case you are shut up in a room by your- 

 self as a punishment, with nothing to keep you 

 company but this book of mine, I may as well give 



75 



