Mabel was supposed to be sleeping at Kathleen's.
And Kathleen was supposed to be sleeping at Mabel's.
Mademoiselle and Mabel's aunt were surprised when the girls woke up in their own homes.
But somehow the girls managed to explain away the adults' questions.
Neither the aunt nor Mademoiselle was angry.
That was good because Kathleen and her brothers wanted to visit the castle that day.
Once again the castle grounds were open to the public.
This time the castle was open too.
There were more visitors than usual.
Everyone in town had heard that Lord Yalding was coming.
"This isn't very much fun,"
complained Gerald, watching the crowd.
"I hate to see all these people in our garden."
"I said that to the nice caretaker this morning," said Mabel.
"But he didn't seem to mind all the people."
"Did you say anything else?" asked Jimmy.
"Lots more," said Mabel.
"He's a good listener.
I told him all about our adventures with the ring."
"You didn't!" said Gerald.
"Don't worry. He thought I was making everything up.
He told me I should be a writer when I grow up."
"Let's do something with the ring," said Kathleen.
"We can't," said Gerald.
"Mademoiselle said she's coming to meet us."
"But the caretaker said he'd make a picnic for us after everyone left," said Mabel.
"We're supposed to meet him at five o'clock."
"Then you go meet him, and I'll wait for Mademoiselle," said Gerald.
"I don't want you to miss the picnic."
So at five o'clock, Mabel, Kathleen, and Jimmy went to meet the caretaker.
It was a very hot day, and they were grumpy.
They soon saw the caretaker near the edge of some woods.
Two picnic baskets lay on the ground.
"I'm making tea," he said.
"There's a little canal just over the ridge.
You can go wading until the tea is ready."
The water was delightfully cool.
Soon the children were in better spirits.
And they were even happier when they had their tea.
Such a feast of cakes and fruit!
"This is like the feast of the gods," said Jimmy.
"What are you talking about?" asked the caretaker.
Jimmy told him how they had turned into statues and eaten with the gods on the island.
"What big imaginations you all have!" said the caretaker.
"But everything I told you is true," Jimmy insisted.
"And Mabel told you the truth about the ring too.
Kathleen, give me the ring."
Kathleen reluctantly handed him the ring.
"This is the ring Mabel told you about," said Jimmy.
"I say it's a wishing ring.
If you wear it and make a wish, your wish will come true."
He gave the ring to the caretaker.
"Don't wish for anything silly," said Kathleen.
"I'll wish for the only thing I really want," said the caretaker.
He closed his eyes.
"I wish that my friend was here."
The three children expected to see a man appear.
But they only saw Gerald and Mademoiselle coming toward them.
"Hello," said Gerald. "I persuaded Mademoiselle . . ."
He stopped talking because Mademoiselle and the caretaker were staring at each other.
"It's you!" said the caretaker.
"And you!" said Mademoiselle in an odd, choked voice.
"Is she your friend?" asked Jimmy.
"Yes," said the caretaker. "Jimmy, give your brother some tea.
Mademoiselle, please come walk with me.
I have so much to say to you."
"We'll be back in an hour,"
said Mademoiselle, who suddenly looked younger and more beautiful.
"It has been a long time since Lord Yalding and I have seen each other."