So far down, indeed, as to be
able to pass through a door conveniently situated under his own pillow
and leading to a dreamland of the most varied enchantments. I know, of
course, what you are about to say; I can see your lips already forming
upon the word _Alice_. But while I admit that _David Blaize and the Blue
Door_ (HODDER AND STOUGHTON) is frankly built after that famous plan
this means no more than that Mr. BENSON has used, so to speak, the
CARROLL formula as a medium for his agreeable fancies. These are
altogether original and filled with the proper dream-spirit of
inconsequence. Moreover the author has a pretty gift for remembering
just the stuff that childhood's dreams are made of--such transfigured
delights as swimming like fishes or flying in a company of birds; he
knows too the odd tags of speech that linger there from daytime, things
meaningless and full of meaning--"Rod-pole-or-perch," for example, or
that thrice-blessed word, "Popocatapetl." Best of all, he has resisted
the subtle temptation to be even momentarily too clever for his audience
(you know the devastating effect that may be produced if a grown-up
pauses on the edge of the circle and reminds the story-teller that he
has a reputation for wit). In fine, this early dream of _David's_ shows
him fortunate in having an old family friend like Mr.
Pages:
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52