He was a mild, thin man, slightly above middle height, with vacant eyes and a hesitating manner.

He wore a black suit, a rather rusty top-hat, and carried a silk umbrella.
"Here he comes!" "Look, that's him!" "Give 'un a cheer, boys." "Hip, hip, hoor-roar!" The sound burst upon the clear sky in a deafening peal.

The stranger paused and looked confused.
"Dear me!" he murmured to himself, "the population here seems to be excited about something--and, bless my soul, what a lot of it there is!" He might well say so.

Along the road, arms, sticks, baskets, and handkerchiefs were frantically waving; men shouting and children hurrahing with might and main.

Windows were flung up; heads protruded; flags waved in frenzied welcome.