t us do the most interesting thing in the
world to people like ourselves: let us examine each other's caravans."

After they had finished visiting each other, and Mr. MacAngus had given
them, speaking as an old campaigner, some very useful if simple hints,
such as always pitching the tent with its back to the wind; and keeping
inside a supply of dry wood to light the fires with; and tying fern on
Moses's head, against the flies; and carrying cabbage leaves in their
own hats, against the heat; and walking with long staves instead of
short walking sticks--after this he made them all sit round their fire,
and sketched them, and the picture hangs at this very moment in Mrs.
Avory's bedroom at "The Gables."

After lunch, which he shared with them, adding to the pot some very
fragrant mixed herbs from a little packet, they lay on the grass round
him, and he read to them from Shakespeare--first from "Macbeth," which
was very dreadful, but fine, and then from "Midsummer Night's Dream"
and the "Winter's Tale."

After supper he took them outside the Hollow, and they lay on their
backs and studied the stars, about which he knew everything that can be
known, and nothing whatever that Gregory wanted to know.

And they went to bed early, to be ready for the long journey on the
morrow--with their feet covered with Mr. Lenox's ointment--declaring it
was one of the most delightful days they had ever spent.

CHAPTER 12

STRATFORD-ON-AVON

The next morning was dull, but dry, and they were ready early, for
there were sixteen miles to be done before Stratford-on-Avon was
reached. They were, however, easy miles, twelve of them being on the
flat beside the Stour.

Mr. MacAngus had decided to stay on in those parts a little longer
before making for Cropthorne, and therefore, after helping with the
inspanning, as he called packing up, he said good-bye, but gave them a
list of the places where it was worth while asking for him. They were
sorry to lose him, but the immediate future was too exciting, with
Stratford-on-Avon and Mrs. Avory in it, to allow time for regrets.

After a day entirely without any adventures they found Mrs. Avory. She
was waiting for them at the Shakespeare Hotel, which is one of the most
fascinating inns in England, with staircases and passages in lavish
profusion, and bedrooms named after the plays. Hester and her mother
slept in the "Winter's Tale," Janet and Mary in "Cymbeline." Robert and
Gregory were "T