I could not help admiring the elaborateness of the precautions, which had only this drawback, as far as I was concerned, that I did not yet know one place from another.
I casually asked Dicky one day if he knew any of the places round.
"What for, picnics and that sort of thing ?" he demanded.
"Well--that sort of thing," said I, anxious not to betray my object too precisely.
"I don't know.

I heard some chaps talking about Camp Hill Bottom--where the battle was, you know." I did not know, but it sounded a likely place, and I made a mental note of it for the eventful day.
Meanwhile there was much to be decided.

First, as to the applicants for admission on reduced terms, it was agreed if these brought their fair share of provender, and in consideration of their being taken on the cheap would undertake to row or tow the boats up stream, they might come.

Then as to the bill of fare, it was resolved that no one should be allowed to take more than he could carry in his pockets--great-coat pockets not to be used.
Then as to the programme; this was drawn up with a view to combine entertainment and instruction in even quantities.

For the entertainment was set down the President's "Inorgural"-- the spelling was Langrish's-- address, a part song of the committee, and a public open-air debate or conservation on "Beauty." The credit of the last suggestion really belonged to Tempest, whom I unofficially consulted as to some good subjects for philosophical discussion.