me 'sir.'"

"But the big gentleman that belongs here an' has all these lovely
flowers an' everything--he says as I must always say 'sir.'"

"Big gentleman?"

"Yes, the big, soft gentleman with the cute little curls on his cheeks."

"Oh--him!" said Ravenslee, laughing suddenly. "Indeed a very just
description, Princess. But you don't have to worry about him any more;
he's gone."

"Gone? For good?"

"For very good indeed!"

"Doesn't all this beautiful, beautiful place belong t' him any more?"

"Never any more."

"Have you come here 'stead of him? Come t' stay?"

"Yes."

"An' can I pick a rose t' kiss sometimes?"

"As many as you like."

"Oh!" sighed the child rapturously, nestling within his arm, "isn't that
just--fine! I guess this sure is the Beautiful City of Perhaps, after
all!"

"I wonder?"

"Oh, but I'm sure it is--now th' gentleman's gone I just know it is!"

"What makes you so sure?"

"Everything! 'Cause you see, Prince, my daddy don't have t' be away all
day any more. An' mumsey don't have t' sew late, nights, any more. An'
when we came into the cute little house where we live--there was the
doll that says 'mamma' jest waitin' f' me. An' there was a big box o'
candies, an' a doll carriage with real rubber on th' wheels--jest like
we used to talk about. So you see this must be Perhaps at last, an' I'm
so--so happy--only--" Hazel sighed.

"Only what?"

"I do wish Hermy could find her way here too; she used t' be so tired
sometimes."

"You mean that you would like to find Princess Nobody, I guess."

"Oh, but I can't! I used to look an' look for her every day 'til th'
gentleman said she wasn't here, an' told me never t' come near th' big
house any more."

"But he's gone, and you never had me to help you."

"Oh, will you--will you help me right now?" she pleaded.

"Surest thing you know!" he nodded, "your hand, Princess."

So hand in hand he led her, suiting his long legs to hers, along shady
walks, up terrace steps, across smooth lawns, and so to the great house.
Hazel paused to question him further concerning "the gentleman", but
Ravenslee laughed and, seating her upon his shoulder, bore her into the
house.

In her housekeeper's room, surrounded by many dusty bill files and
stacks of account books, they presently found Mrs. Trapes, whose
hawk's-eye viewed bills and tradesmen's books while she frowned and
muttered such comments as "Rogues!" "Thieves!" "Scand'lous!" "Wicked!"
Unti