much earlier than
will be necessary at other times."

"Then why should not we consult together as to the time?" asked Rollo.
"I don't see any reason for leaving it altogether to _one_ of the
party."

"Why, you see that Mrs. Gray is a lady," replied Mr. George, "and it
takes a lady longer to dress and get ready than men. Besides, she has
two children to look after."

"And Susannah to help her," said Rollo.

"True," said Mr. George; "still it seems proper that the time for
setting out should be fixed by the lady,--of course, after hearing what
the vetturino has to say."

"I think so too," said Rollo; "so go on."

IV.

Any person who is not ready to sit down to breakfast at the time
which shall have been appointed by Mrs. Gray the evening before, or
who shall not be ready to enter the carriage at the time appointed,
shall pay a fine, except in the case hereinafter provided for. If
the person so behindhand is one of the children, the fine shall be
two cents, or the value thereof in the currency of the country
where we may chance to be; and if it is one of the grown persons,
the fine shall be three times that amount, that is, six cents.

"Yes; but suppose we don't wake up?" suggested Rollo.

"That contingency is provided for in the next article," said Mr. George.

V.

It shall be Mr. George's duty to knock at all the bedroom doors
every morning, three quarters of an hour before the time fixed for
breakfast; and if he fails to do so, then he shall pay all the
fines for tardiness that may be incurred that morning by any of the
party.

"Very good!" said Rollo.

VI.

It shall be Rosie's duty to decide whether or not any persons are
tardy any morning; and her mother's watch shall be the standard of
time. Her decisions shall be without appeal; and no excuses
whatever shall be heard, nor shall there be any release from the
fine, except in the case of a failure of Mr. George to knock at the
doors, as hereinbefore provided.

"But we might some of us have a good excuse some time," said Rollo.

"True," said Mr. George; "we doubtless shall. But if we go upon the plan
of admitting excuses, then there will be a long debate every morning, on
the question whether the excuses are good or not, which will cause a
great deal of trouble. It is better for us to pay the fine at once. It
is not much, you know."

"Wel