Mr Stratton dropped in for a slice of cake, and Mrs Wakefield and the three little Wakefields came to patronise the undertaking.

One or two fellows, too, sent their fags to secure "extras" for tea, and one or two left orders for another day.

Inquiries were made, moreover, for certain articles, such as lemons, tea-cakes, etcetera, which the shopmen took a note of as worth laying in a stock of.

And the lack of demand for a few of the things they had, suggested to the same astute young merchants that they might be dispensed with in future.
Of course, a few boys tried to interfere with the regulations by demanding "tick," and wanting to make bargains.

But they were promptly met by a _non possumus_ from the directors present, and finally brought to reason by being referred to Mr Stratton.
The day passed without the necessity of any appeal to the president.