But no children were ever in it -- or anybody else apparently . And so , in spite of its beauty , it had a lonely look that hurt Jims . He wanted his Garden of Spices to be full of laughter . He pictured himself running in it with imaginary playmates -- and there was a mother in it -- or a big sister -- or , at the least , a whole aunt who would let you hug her and would never dream of shutting you up in chilly , shadowy , horrible blue rooms . `` It seems to me , '' said Jims , flattening his nose against the pane , `` that I must get into that garden or bust . '' Aunt Augusta would have said icily , `` We do not use such expressions , James , '' but Aunt Augusta was not there to hear . `` I 'm afraid the Very Handsome Cat is n't coming to-day , '' sighed Jims . Then he brightened up ; the Very Handsome Cat was coming across the lawn . He was the only living thing , barring birds and butterflies , that Jims ever saw in the garden . Jims worshipped that cat . He was jet black , with white paws and dickey , and he had as much dignity as ten cats . Jims ' fingers tingled to stroke him . Jims had never been allowed to have even a kitten because Aunt Augusta had a horror of cats . And you can not stroke gobblers ! The Very Handsome Cat came through the rose garden paths on his beautiful paws , ambled daintily around the rockery , and sat down in a shady spot under a pine tree , right where Jims could see him , through a gap in the little poplars . He looked straight up at Jims and winked . At least , Jims always believed and declared he did . And that wink said , or seemed to say , plainly : `` Be a sport . Come down here and play with me . A fig for your Aunt Augusta ! ''
A wild , daring , absurd idea flashed into XXXXX ' brain .
Cat James Jims Spices bust dickey paws poplars right rockery