CHAPTER XI
THE END OF THE MATTER
The family had just sat down to breakfast when the Writer arrived atBalham in a taxi-cab, bearing two large cardboard dress-boxes with him.
Having deposited these articles, he was greeted by the family.
"Oh! you bad man," commenced the Mother of Ridgwell and Christine; "sitdown and have breakfast at once before you start any more of thoseplausible tales of yours."
"How did you get here so early?" inquired Father.
"Took a taxi, but it wasn't half such fun as riding down here on aLion's back!"
Ridgwell leaned one side of his head down upon the table and laughed,and Christine glanced round shyly.
"A fine sort of commotion you and Ridgwell have caused," protestedFather; "listen to this paragraph out of this morning's paper."
The Writer actually appeared to enjoy eating his breakfast unabashed,whilst Father proceeded to read.
"'The amusing action which took place yesterday in Court X---- has beenthe cause of unprecedented scenes in London. Thousands of children,both boys and girls, throng Trafalgar Square in order to see if thePleasant-Faced Lion intends to speak, or give another children's party.
"'Hundreds of children congregate every minute round the Griffin'sstatue, waiting for it to sing, and have to be moved on good-naturedlybut firmly by the police.'"
"A nice state of things," commented Father, during a pause in thereading.
"'There can be no doubt whatever that the extraordinary story of Lalhas interested all London, and everybody is laughing at the idea.
"'Sir Simon Gold, the Lord Mayor of London, with the usualthoughtfulness that always distinguishes him, has resolved that theLondon children shall not be disappointed with regard to a party. SirSimon has therefore taken the four biggest public halls, in the fourquarters of London, north, south, east, and west, and all the childrenof London in each district will be entertained upon behalf of thePleasant-Faced Lion by the Lord Mayor to a delightful evening party thesame evening that the Lord Mayor gives his usual children's party atthe Mansion House.'"
"I can add something to that piece of news," observed the Writer, as hecontinued eating his breakfast happily, and totally unconscious,seemingly, of his many misdoings. "In those two big cardboard boxesare two costumes; they are presents from Mum, one for Ridgwell, and theother for Christine. Oh, no!--not to be opened until after breakfast.Now, upon the night of the parties an event is going to take place thatwill please everybody. The Lord Mayor wants both Ridgwell andChristine to tell the story of Lal at each party after the dancing. Itwill be the event of the evening, and will be illustrated on thecinematograph."
"Oh!" echoed Ridgwell and Christine, "what fun!"
"All very fine for all of you," protested Father, "but I have to go totown to-day on business, and if I cannot get past Fleet Street or theGriffin on account of all the children round it, what am I to do, andhow am I to get along with my work?"
Christine and Ridgwell sidled up, one upon either side of Father'schair.
"Don't you know you ought to be very pleased?" they said.
"Why?" inquired Father.
"Because the Griffin is happy at last, he is being noticed."
The Writer laughed: the Writer was really a most unscrupulous person asto the source from which he derived amusement.
"It is a very incredible tale," remarked Father, severely.
"_Most_ incredible," confessed Mother, with a smile.
THE END
The Tale of Lal Page 16