make believe

“But as to marrying for love, as we used to think of, and as charming poets make believe – my dear, now-a-days, nous avons changé tout cela.”

John Halifax, Gentleman

“As Gadi took her, she tried to make believe it was Richard, tried to have Richard if even by proxy.”

Fictionaut: Men Don't Leave Me

“If I don't like a thing, I don't like it, that's all; and there is no reason under the sun why I should ape a liking for it just because the majority of my fellow-creatures like it, or make believe they like it.”

Chapter 24

“The diptheria has not progressed, but since Mr. L left I have had 24 cases of make believe sickness to prescribe for, the fever invariably having "just gone off" and recurring always at night.”

Elliott and Gonzales Family Papers. Personal Correspondence, 1861-1865.

“He carried this kind of trickery so far, that he would sometimes mount his horse, and make believe he was going to St. Michael's; and, in thirty minutes afterward, you might find his horse tied in the woods, and the snake-like Covey lying flat in the ditch, with his head lifted above its edge, or in a fence corner, watching every movement of the slaves!”

My Bondage and My Freedom. Part I.--Life as a Slave. Part II.--Life as a Freeman

“She tried to make believe the homey noises of showering were Jennan's, but her new passenger's ways were completely different”

the ship who sang

“I used to make believe the bath was a boat slowly filling with water.”

Jacob's Ladder