The Enchanted Castle · Chapter
The Invisible Companion and the Conjuring Scheme explained
Gerald, Kathleen, and Jimmy grapple with the awkwardness of having an invisible companion, Mabel Prowse, who became invisible after putting on a magic ring.
What happens
Gerald, Kathleen, and Jimmy grapple with the awkwardness of having an invisible companion, Mabel Prowse, who became invisible after putting on a magic ring. Mabel writes a deceptive note to her aunt claiming she has been adopted by a lady in a motorcar, and the children gain permission to roam the castle grounds. Mabel proposes that Gerald pose as a conjurer at the fair while she performs the tricks invisibly. Gerald disguises himself with blackened skin and a turban, and they set off to the fair to earn money.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Truth
Mabel writes a letter full of lies to her aunt, and Gerald deceives the fairgoers by pretending to be a conjurer while Mabel performs invisibly.
Friendship and Loyalty
The children stick together despite the awkwardness of Mabel's invisibility, sharing food and planning to help her earn money.
Magic and Reality
The magic ring causes Mabel's invisibility, and the children struggle to reconcile this magical event with everyday life.
Characters to notice
- Gerald
Takes charge of the group, devises the conjuring scheme, and disguises himself as an Indian conjurer at the fair.
- Kathleen
Shows sympathy for Mabel's plight and participates in the fair plan by mingling with the crowd.
- Jimmy
Expresses skepticism about Mabel's lies and focuses on practical concerns like tea and food.
- Mabel Prowse
Remains invisible throughout the chapter, writes a deceptive note to her aunt, and proposes the conjuring scheme to earn money.
- Auntie
Mabel's aunt, who is absorbed in reading novelettes and readily believes Mabel's fabricated story about being adopted.
Key passages
“Those of my readers who have gone about much with an invisible companion will not need to be told how awkward the whole business is.”
Having an invisible friend is very awkward, as anyone who has tried it knows.
The narrator directly addresses the reader about the challenges of dealing with invisibility.
“I never believed anything would happen, and now it has.”
Mabel is shocked that the magic actually worked.
Mabel expresses her disbelief that the ring's magic is real.
“If I said I've become invisible, she'd think that no mistake!”
Mabel knows her aunt would not believe the truth about invisibility.
Mabel justifies her lie by saying the truth would be too unbelievable.
“The accomplished conjurer deemed these the words of wisdom”
Gerald agreed that Mabel's plan was a good idea.
Gerald uses a formal tone to accept Mabel's suggestion about conjuring.