The Rambillicus Book

Little Johnnie Nelson attired in a suit which, if it outlasts the wear of years, will fit him to the age of twelve, stood gazing across the river into the misty, many-tinted depths of the woodlands, already turning red and brown under the first subtle touch of advancing autumn. Over the river is always the land of the unknown, and to Johnnie, its calm and cool shades seemed to invite coaxingly, yet he held aloof. I inquired into the cause of his aloofness, or aloofishness, whichever it is, and he told me that the children had informed him there were 'Things' over there that caught little boys.