and--and--upon the whole, I really
hope we shall have a glorious day, you know!'

The announcement of these arrangements was received with the utmost
enthusiasm. Mrs. Taunton, Emily, and Sophia, were loud in their praises.

'Well, but tell me, Percy,' said Mrs. Taunton, 'who are the ten gentlemen
to be?'

'Oh! I know plenty of fellows who'll be delighted with the scheme,'
replied Mr. Percy Noakes; 'of course we shall have--'

'Mr. Hardy!' interrupted the servant, announcing a visitor. Miss Sophia
and Miss Emily hastily assumed the most interesting attitudes that could
be adopted on so short a notice.

'How are you?' said a stout gentleman of about forty, pausing at the door
in the attitude of an awkward harlequin. This was Mr. Hardy, whom we
have before described, on the authority of Mrs. Stubbs, as 'the funny
gentleman.' He was an Astley-Cooperish Joe Miller--a practical joker,
immensely popular with married ladies, and a general favourite with young
men. He was always engaged in some pleasure excursion or other, and
delighted in getting somebody into a scrape on such occasions. He could
sing comic songs, imitate hackney-coachmen and fowls, play airs on his
chin, and execute concertos on the Jews'-harp. He always eat and drank
most immoderately, and was the bosom friend of Mr. Percy Noakes. He had
a red face, a somewhat husky voice, and a tremendous laugh.

'How _are_ you?' said this worthy, laughing, as if it were the finest
joke in the world to make a morning call, and shaking hands with the
ladies with as much vehemence as if their arms had been so many
pump-handles.

'You're just the very man I wanted,' said Mr. Percy Noakes, who proceeded
to explain the cause of his being in requisition.

'Ha! ha! ha!' shouted Hardy, after hearing the statement, and receiving a
detailed account of the proposed excursion. 'Oh, capital! glorious!
What a day it will be! what fun!--But, I say, when are you going to begin
making the arrangements?'

'No time like the present--at once, if you please.'

'Oh, charming!' cried the ladies. 'Pray, do!'

Writing materials were laid before Mr. Percy Noakes, and the names of the
different members of the committee were agreed on, after as much
discussion between him and Mr. Hardy as if the fate of nations had
depended on their appointment. It was then agreed that a meeting should
take place at Mr. Percy Noakes's chambers on the ensuing Wednesday
evening at eight o'clock,