Part 4 (1/2)
never had any real existence, which leaves no host
”So there were no witches, after all?” said Charlie
”No; no witches”
”No Banquo?”
”No Banquo”
”No ghost?”
”No ghost Banquo never lived”
”Is that all?” asked Grandmother Golden
”That is all”
CHAPTER III
A STORY-TELLING JOURNEY
THE CLUB REORGANIZED--THE RHINE AND THE LANDS OF THE BALTIC--TOMMY TOBY'S STORY OF THE SIX BOY KINGS
At the first for of the Club Charlie Leland was chosen President He was the intellectual leader aone; he was a lad of good principles, bright, generous, and popular As ue on the piazza, he had a subject well matured in his mind for the literary exercises of the Club
”We all like stories,” he said, ”and the Rhine lands are regions of stories, as are the countries of the Baltic Sea The tales and traditions of the Rhine would give us a large knowledge of Gerreat ene ruled, and which now is divided into the kingdoms of Northern Europe The stories of haunted castles, spectres, water nymphs, sylvan deities, and fairies, if shapes of fancy, are full of instruction, and I know of no subject so likely to prove intensely interesting as the Rhine and the Baltic; and I would like to propose it to the Club for consideration, although, owing to my position as President, I do not make a formal motion that it be adopted”
[Illustration: THE GRAND-DUCAL CASTLE, SCHWERIN]
Charlie's picturesque allusion to the ic on the minds of the Club; and a formal motion that the Rhine and the Baltic be the subject of future literary s was at once made, seconded, and unanimously adopted
[Illustration: ANCIENT GERMAN HOUSES]
Master Lewis had entered the roo thus happily and unanimously carried forward The boys had asked hiive them his opinions of their plans
”I think,” he said, ”that your choice of a subject for your literary evenings is an excellent one, but I notice a tendency to place more stress on the fine old fictions of Germany and the North than upon actual history These fictions for the rew out of the disturbed consciences of bad norant and barbarous tiination”
He continued:--
”Let me prepare yourand entertaining stories”