362 THE STEAM EXCURSION. 



quite in his element. " I think it'll do. Well, then, you know we 

 shall go down to the Nore and back, and have a regular, capital cold 

 dinner laid out in the cabin before we start, so that every thing may 

 be ready, without any confusion ; and we shall have the lunch laid 

 out on deck in those little tea-garden-looking concerns by the paddle- 

 boxes I don't know what you call 'em. Then we shall hire a 

 steamer expressly for our party, and a band, you know, and have 

 the deck chalked, and we shall be able to dance quadrilles all day : 

 and then whoever we know that's musical, you know, why they'll 

 make themselves useful and agreeable 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 attitnde 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 some- 

 body 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 Jew's 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 tremendously loud 

 laugh. 



" How are you ?" said this worthy, laughing, as if it was 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 were 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, ca- 

 pital ! glorions ! What a day it will be ! what fun ! But, 1^ say, 

 when are you going to begin making the arrangement ?" 



" 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 at least 

 the fate of nations had depended on their appointment. It was 

 then agreed that a meeting should take place at Mr. Percy Noakes's 



