"The thing whacked upon me suddenly Then, after all, that garden, that wonderful garden, wasn't dream ! "

He paused

"I suppose my second experience green door marks the world of difference busy life of schoolboy infinite leisure of child Anyhow, this second time I didn't for moment think of going in straight away ---- , my mind was full idea of getting to school --set on not breaking my record for punctuality surely have felt some little desire the door--yes felt that . But I seem to remember the attraction door mainly as another obstacle to my overmastering determination to school immensely interested discovery I had made, --I went on with my mind full of it--but I went on It didn't check me I ran past, tugging out my watch, found I had ten minutes still to spare, and then going downhill into familiar surroundings I got to school, breathless, true, and wet with perspiration, but remember hanging up my coat and hat . Went right and left it behind me Odd, eh ? "

He looked at me thoughtfully, " I didn't know then wouldn't always be there Schoolboys have limited imaginations I suppose an awfully jolly thing it there, my way back , but the school tugging at me I expect distraught and inattentive that morning, recalling what beautiful strange people presently see again Oddly enough I had in my mind that me . Yes, thought garden that morning just as jolly sort of place one might resort interludes of strenuous scholastic career

"I didn't go that day at all The was half holiday, weighed with me Perhaps, too, my state of inattention brought down impositions upon me, and docked the margin necessary _detour I don't know What know meantime the enchanted garden was upon my mind that keep it to myself

" his name ? --a ferrety-looking youngster we used Squiff "

"Young Hopkins," said I

"Hopkins like telling him I had feeling that in some way against the rules him, but walking part way home with me; talkative, and talked enchanted garden talked of something else, and intolerable about subject So I blabbed

"Well, my secret The play interval myself surrounded by half dozen bigger boys, half teasing, and wholly curious to hear more enchanted garden that big Fawcett--you remember him ? --and Carnaby and Morley Reynolds You weren't there by any chance ? No, remembered were .

"A boy is creature of odd feelings , I really believe, secret self-disgust, little flattered the attention big fellows I remember particularly moment of pleasure caused praise of Crawshaw--you remember Crawshaw major, the son of Crawshaw the composer ? --who said it best lie he had ever heard But same time really painful undertow of shame at telling what was indeed sacred secret That beast Fawcett made joke girl in green----"

Wallace's voice sank keen memory shame "I pretended not to hear," "Well, then Carnaby suddenly called me young liar, and disputed with me when the thing was true where the green door, could lead them all there in ten minutes Carnaby became outrageously virtuous, and said I'd have to--and bear out my words or suffer Did you ever have Carnaby twist your arm ? Then perhaps you'll understand how it went with me I swore my story was true nobody school then to save chap from Carnaby, though Crawshaw put in word or so Carnaby had got his game I grew excited and red-eared, and little frightened I behaved altogether like silly little chap, outcome of it all instead of starting alone enchanted garden, I led the way presently--cheeks flushed, ears hot, eyes smarting, and my soul one burning misery and shame--for party of six mocking, curious, and threatening schoolfellows

"We never found the white wall green door . "

"You mean---- ? "

"I mean I couldn't find it found it if

"And afterwards when go alone I couldn't find it I never found it I seem now always looking through my school-boy days, but I never came upon it--never "

"Did the fellows--make it disagreeable ? "

"Beastly . Carnaby held council over me for wanton lying I remember how I sneaked home and upstairs to hide the marks blubbering But when I cried myself to sleep at last it wasn't for Carnaby, but garden, beautiful afternoon I had hoped for, sweet friendly women waiting playfellows, game I had hoped to learn again, that beautiful forgotten game .

"I believed firmly that if I told-- . I had bad times --crying at night and wool-gathering by day For two terms I slackened and had bad reports remember ? ! _you_--your beating me in mathematics that brought me back grind again "

III

For time my friend stared silently red heart fire Then : "I never saw it again until seventeen

"It leapt upon me third time--as driving to Paddington on my way to Oxford and scholarship I had just one momentary glimpse leaning over the apron hansom smoking cigarette, and thinking myself no end of man world, and suddenly the door, the wall, the dear sense of unforgettable and still attainable things

"We clattered by--I too taken by surprise to stop my cab until we were well past and round corner Then I had queer moment, double and divergent movement will: I tapped the little door roof cab, and brought my arm down to pull out my watch 'Yes, sir ! ' said the cabman, smartly 'Er--well--it's nothing,' I cried '_My mistake ! We haven't much time ! Go on ! ' And he went on .

"I got my scholarship night after told I sat over my fire in my little upper room, my study, in my father's house, praise--his rare praise-- sound counsels ringing in my ears, and I smoked my favourite pipe--the formidable bulldog of adolescence--and thought door long white wall 'If I had stopped,' , ' missed my scholarship, missed Oxford--muddled all the fine career before me ! I begin things better ! ' I fell musing deeply, but doubt then this career was thing that merited sacrifice

"Those dear friends clear atmosphere seemed very sweet , very fine but remote My grip was fixing now world another door opening--the door career "

He stared again fire Its red light picked out stubborn strength face for just one flickering moment, and then it vanished again

"Well," and sighed, " served that career --much work, much hard work But dreamt enchanted garden thousand dreams, and seen its door, or glimpsed its door, four times since then Yes--four times For while this world was so bright and interesting, seemed so full of meaning and opportunity, half-effaced charm garden was by comparison gentle and remote Who wants to pat panthers way to dinner with pretty women and distinguished men ? down to London from Oxford, man of bold promise that something to redeem Something--and yet been disappointments .