anything.

So, even as the man, the boy had dreamed. But the man did not think of
it in that way--the dreams of his _manhood_ were too real.

Then in his Yesterdays would come, also, the putting of his dreams
into action, for the play of children, even as the works of men, are
only dreams in action after all. The quiet orchard became a vast and
pathless forest wherein lurked wild beasts and savage men ready to
pounce upon the daring hunter; or, perhaps, it was an enchanted wood
with lords and ladies imprisoned in the trees while in the carriage
house--which was not a carriage house at all but a great castle--a
cruel giant held captive their beautiful princess. The haymow was a
robbers' cave wherein great wealth of booty was stored; the garden, a
desert island on which lived the poor castaway. And many a long summer
hour the bold captain clung to the rigging of his favorite apple tree
ship and gazed out over the waving meadow sea, or the general of the
army, on his rail fence war horse, directed the battle from the
hilltop or led the desperate charge.

But rarely, in his Yesterdays, could the boy put his dreams into
successful action alone. Alone he could dream but to realize his
dreams, he needs must have the help of another. And so _she_ came
to take her place in his life, to help him play out his dreams--the
little girl who lived next door.

Who was she? Why, she was the beautiful princess held captive by the
giant in his carriage house castle until rescued by the brave prince
who came to her through the enchanted wood. She was the crew of the
apple tree ship; the robber band; the army following her general in