Pilkington’s

           Onattainingtheageofeight,orthereabout,childrenflyawayfromtheGardens,andnevercomeback.Whennextyoumeetthemtheyareladiesandgentlemenholdinguptheirumbrellastohailahansom.

           WherethegirlsgotoIknownot,tosomeprivateplace,Isuppose,toputuptheirhair,buttheboyshavegonetoPilkington’s.Heisamanwithacane.YoumaynotgotoPilkington’sinknickerbockersmadebyyourmother,makesheeversoartfully.Theymustberealknickerbockers.Itishissternrule.HencethefearfulfascinationofPilkington’s.

           Hemaybeconceivedasonewho,baitinghishookwithrealknickerbockers,fishesalldayintheGardens,whicharetohimbutapoolswarmingwithsmallfry.

           Abhorredshade!Iknownotwhatmannerofmanthouartintheflesh,sir,butfiguretheebeardedandblackavised,andofaleantortuoushabitofbody,thatmoveseverwithaswish.Everymorning,Iswear,thoureadestavidlythelistofmalebirthsinthypaper,andthenarethyhandsrubbedgloatinglytheoneupontheother.’Tisfearoftheeandthygownandthycane,whicharepartofthee,thatmakesthefairiestohidebyday;wertthoutolingerbutonceamongtheirhauntsbetweenthehoursofLock-outandOpenGatestherewouldbeleftnotonesinglegentleplaceinalltheGardens.Thelittlepeoplewouldflit.Howmuchwisertheythanthesmallboyswhoswimglamouredtothycraftyhook.ThoudevastatoroftheGardens,Iknowthee,Pilkington.

           IfirstheardofPilkingtonfromDavid,whohaditfromOliverBailey.