. For a week I disbelieved it; for almost
another week I forgot it; and then lo! Sir Felix himself called on me
and confirmed it.

A trio of young footmen (it appeared) had arrived in Kirris-vean to
spend a holiday on board-wages--their several employers having gone
northward for the grouse, to incommodious shooting-boxes where a few
servants sufficed. Finding themselves at a loose end (to use their
own phrase for it) these three young men had hit on the wild--the
happy--the almost delirious idea of a Regatta; and taking their
courage in their hands had sought an interview with Sir Felix, to
entreat his patronage for the scheme. They had found him in his most
amiable mood, and within an hour--the old gentleman is discursive--he
had consented to become Patron and President and to honour the
gathering with his presence. But observe; the idea cannot have
originated before August the 12th, on which day the trio arrived from
London; yet a whisper of it had reached me on the 2nd or 3rd.
I repeat that I shall never understand the operation of rumour in
Troy.

Sir Felix, having somewhat rashly given his consent, in a cooler hour
began to foresee difficulties, and drove into Troy to impart them to
me. I know not why, on occasions of doubt and embarrassment such as
this, he ever throws himself (so to speak) on my bosom; but so it is.
The Regatta, he explained, ought to take place in August, and we were
already arrived at the middle of the month, Tuesday the 24th had been
suggested--a very convenient date for him: it was, as I might
remember, the day before Petty Sessions, immediately after which he
had as good as promised to visit his second son in Devonshire and
attend the christening of an infant grandchild. But would ten days
allow us time to organise the 'events,' hire a band, issue the
necessary posters, etc.?

I assured him that, hard as it might drive us, the thing could be
done. 'I shall feel vastly more confident,' he was good enough to
say, 'if you will consent to join our Committee.' And I accepted, on
the prospect of seeing some fun. But ah! could I have foreseen
_what_ fun!

'You relieve my mind, indeed. . . . And--er--perhaps you might also
help us by officiating as starter and--er--judge, or timekeeper?'

'Willingly,' said I; 'in any capacity the Committee may wish.'

'They will be more inclined to trust the decisions of one who--er--
does not live among them.'

'Is that so?' said I. 'In Kirris-