"You are a monster and a wicked magician," said the Mermaid Queen

Some of my youthful readers are developing wonderful imaginations. This pleases me.

It is a callous age; we have seen so many marvels that we are ashamed to marvel more; the seven wonders of the world have become seven thousand wonders.

When I was young I longed to write a great novel that should win me fame. Now that I am getting old my first book is written to amuse children.

Now we can cross the Shifting Sands.

I have learned to regard fame as a will-o-the-wisp which, when caught, is not worth the possession; but to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart and brings its own reward.

I believe that dreams — day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing — are likely to lead to the betterment of the world.