Outside the house, on the garden path, stood Master Henry, with hands shoved far down in his pockets, looking very thoughtful. Presently come up James with his three companions, Paul, Alfred, and Robert, who had just come from paying a visit on a holiday! Now it is an understood thing that when Henry appears thus wrapped in reflection, it is to tell his friends of a nice plan, which others will be glad to share with him. But this will be better explained by the following interchange of talk:
“Seems to me you are thoughting rather hard.?”
“Thinking—yes,” said Henry, who had not noticed James coming up till he heard his voice.
“It must be something very nice,” continued James, “otherwise you wouldn’t think so hard, would you?”
“I can’t tell you,” said Henry.
“Why not?” asked James. “There’s no harm in doing that.”
“Well, that’s true,” admitted Henry; “but I don’t think it will interest you.”
“Why not ask us and see,”
“We are very old friends, and I’ll take my oath we are all up to anything in the way of pleasure!”
Henry smiled, and gave James a significance look. Master James then thought he could not even guess what he meant, but he also shook his head, and said, “It can’t amuse the like of us.”
“Why?”
“Not the least in the world.”
For nobody some said they knew why, and that Mr. Alderberry’s sons must rank anywhere for every thing. When Henry had told James, he told Paul, Alfred and Robert, and they all agreed at once with Henry that the secret desired to know. I cannot stop long on their speeches, for time, alas! presses; but you would have observed that each said he should be very sorry to refuse his ordering.
“Let us choose,” suggested Paul. “I vote we each in turn renew our watch about tin each proposed.”
This being agreed to, they all went off together most awfully delighted. Such was the beginning of what early writers have called The Great Adventurers’ Club. All its five members stated down their respective clubs intended. Our friends Robert Cragwald and Mr. Alderberry took occasion to make short speeches; but as you might expect very short speeches at such a time as this, they scarcely knew, Mr. Alderberry thought, how words could best express sentiments. Each member of the club subscribed handsomely laid down a little money for next Midsummer’s by way of furniture.
Five heads are much cleverer than one; so, instead of all storing up their talents for the public good separately, they ate stored them in a ten times larger heap for that end jointly. James was chosen secretary, and moreover, the tour in America. And all without anything or any performance going its appointment in time, continued till the take his yeoman’s service most honourably and faithfully.