CHAPTER II.
A delicate business--What Ethelbertha might have said--What she did say--What Mrs.Harris said--What we told George--We will start on Wednesday--George suggests the possibility of improving our minds--Harris and I are doubtful--Which man on a tandem does the most work ?--The opinion of the man in front--Views of the man behind--How Harris lost his wife--The luggage question--The wisdom of my late Uncle Podger--Beginning of story about a man who had a bag.
I opened the ball with Ethelbertha that same evening.

I commenced by being purposely a little irritable.

My idea was that Ethelbertha would remark upon this.

I should admit it, and account for it by over brain pressure.

This would naturally lead to talk about my health in general, and the evident necessity there was for my taking prompt and vigorous measures.