But he is very strong. And we were all very tired. And Robina says she hates him. Dick is going to give Mr. ’Opkins half a crown. To tell him how he makes him go. Because Mr. ’Opkins makes him gallop. Robina says it must be hypnotism. But Dick thinks it might be something simpler. I think Mr. ’Opkins very nice. He says you promised to lend him a book. What would help him to talk like a real country boy. So I have lent him a book about a window. By Mr. Bane. What came to see us last year. It has a lot of funny words in it. And he is going to learn them up. But he don’t know what they mean. No more do I. I have written a lot of the book. It promises to be very interesting. It is all a dream. He is just the ordinary grown-up father. Neither better nor worse. And he goes up and up. It is a pleasant sensation. Till he reaches the moon. And there everything is different. It is the children that know everything. And are always right. And the grown-ups have to do all what they tell them. They are kind but firm. It is very good for him. And when he wakes up he is a better man. I put down everything that occurs to me. Like you suggested. There is quite a lot of it. And it makes you see how unjustly children are treated. They said I was to feed the donkey. Because it was my donkey. And I fed him. And there wasn’t enough supper for Dick. And Dick said I was an idiot. And Robina said I wasn’t to feed him. And in the morning there wasn’t anything to feed him on. Because he won’t eat anything but bread-and-butter. And the baker hadn’t come. And he wasn’t there. Because the man that comes to milk the cow had left the door open. And I was distracted. And Dick asked had I fed him. And of course I hadn’t fed him. And lord how Dick talked. Never waited to hear anything, mind you. I let him talk. But it just shows you. We are all very happy. But shall be pleased to see you. Once again. The peppermint creams down here are not good. And are very dear. Compared with London prices. Isn’t this a good letter? You said I was to always write just as I thought. So I’m doing it. I think that’s all.” I read selections from this letter aloud to Ethelbertha. She said she was glad she had decided to come down with me. CHAPTER IX