Those who are called practical people enjoy many advan- 

 tages over such of their fellows as are afflicted with keen 

 sensibilities, and not the least advantage is the ease with 

 which they set out on their travels. They are troubled 

 with no qualms at parting ; in long letters homeward 

 they waste none of the hours sacred to slumber ; and 

 having slipped the collar before starting, they drag no 

 load of ever-lengthening chain. On Friday night a prac- 

 tical man announces that he has made his arrangements 

 for a six- weeks furlough ; orders breakfast at a quarter 

 to eight next morning, packs his portmanteau, replenishes 

 his flask of eau de vie, and after a general " Good-bye," 

 jumps into the Hansom bound for London Bridge or 

 Euston Square. Perhaps a tear stood in some one's eye 

 as l.e shouted "All right;" but then wives and sisters 

 have a way of shedding tears, and they could never dream 

 of sharing the trip ; for, to say nothing of the expense, it 

 is their business to be "keepers at home." So making 

 up his mind that they will all, as in duty bound, keep 

 well and happy until his return, he hies forth on his own 



