The result was, for some time, in doubt.
Ultimately, going all out across the lawn, Bill, on the King, won by a short length.
Whether Bill, or the King, was the more delighted at this success, it would have taken a very acute observer to judge.
In the ensuing hour, the King found himself called upon to play a variety of parts, which would have made exhaustive demands upon the resources of the most experienced quick-change artist.
A Wild Beast in the trees, Man Friday, a Red Indian, a Cannibal King, and a Policeman, were amongst his more prominent rôles. Flinging himself into the spirit of the play, with a gusto which he caught, in part, from Judith, he entirely forgot himself.
The Imps' laughter rang out, blithe and free, through the garden, and about the house. Whenever their interest, or their energy failed, Judith was quick with some delectable proposal, unlimited in resource. With all their unspoilt imagination, Button and Bill were hard put to it, at times, to keep pace with the whims of their radiant, laughing mother. Judith played with all the abandon of a child, directed by the intellect of an adult. To the King this combination was irresistible. He had no thought now apart from the present moment.
Once only, were he and Judith alone together. It was in the course of a wild game of hide and seek with which the play ended. It was their turn to hide. Quite by chance, they sought the same cover—a large rhododendron bush in the drive. They crouched together, behind the bush, side by side.
Judith was flushed, panting a little, and a trifle dishevelled.
"Isn't this fun?" she whispered, turning to him with shining eyes.
"I am ten years old—for the first time," the King replied.