We'll hire donkeys and--" "Oh, Lord!" said Hirst, "do shut it! I can see Miss Warrington and Miss Allan and Mrs.Elliot and the rest squatting on the stones and quacking, 'How jolly!'" "We'll ask Venning and Perrott and Miss Murgatroyd--every one we can lay hands on," went on Hewet.

"What's the name of the little old grasshopper with the eyeglasses?
Pepper ?--Pepper shall lead us." "Thank God, you'll never get the donkeys," said Hirst.
"I must make a note of that," said Hewet, slowly dropping his feet to the floor.

"Hirst escorts Miss Warrington; Pepper advances alone on a white ass; provisions equally distributed--or shall we hire a mule?
The matrons--there's Mrs.Paley, by Jove!--share a carriage." "That's where you'll go wrong," said Hirst.

"Putting virgins among matrons." "How long should you think that an expedition like that would take, Hirst ?" asked Hewet.
"From twelve to sixteen hours I would say," said Hirst.

"The time usually occupied by a first confinement." "It will need considerable organisation," said Hewet.