anet; "you're the eldest, I
can see."
"My name," said Janet, "is Janet Avory. I live in Chiswick. Our caravan
is the Slowcoach. We are going to Stratford-on-Avon. Our horse is
called Moses. Our--"
"Oh, Janet," said Hester, "you're not leaving anything for us to tell!"
"Very well," said Janet, "that's all."
"My name," said Mary, "is Mary Rotheram. I am the daughter of a doctor
at Chiswick. My brother and I are the Avories' guests. I am fourteen.
Father has one of your pictures."
"Good judge!" Mr. MacAngus said.
"Now, Macbeth," he said, pointing to Robert.
"My name isn't Macbeth," said Robert.
"No," said the artist, "but that's how I think of you. Why? Can anyone
tell me?"
"I can," said Hester. "Because he woke you up--'Macbeth hath murdered
sleep.'"
"Splendid!" said Mr. MacAngus. "As a reward you shall tell your story
before Macbeth does."
"I am nine," said Hester. "My name is Hester. I adore Shakespeare. I am
Janet's sister."
"Good!" said Mr. MacAngus. "We will read Shakespeare together this
afternoon. From the way you walk I can see that this is blister day. We
will all take it easy and be happy, and you shall cure your lameness.
Now, Mac."
"I am thirteen," said Robert. "I am the geographer of the party. I am
sorry for murdering your sleep, but glad, too, because you're so jolly."
"Now you," said Mr. MacAngus to Jack Rotheram.
"I am not an Avory," said Jack. "I am Mary's brother. I am twelve. I am
going to Osborne next year."
"Very sensible of you," said Mr. MacAngus. "And you, sir," he added to
Horace Campbell, "the burglar's friend."
"My name is Horace Campbell," he replied. "I am the son of the Vicar of
Chiswick. I am nine. I am also the Keeper of the Tin-opener."
"Oh, yes," said Jack, "I forgot that. I am the Preserver of Enough Oil
in the Beatrice Stove."
"I am proud to meet such important personages," said Mr. MacAngus. "And
now, lastly, you,"--he said to Gregory,--"the little nipper, the tiny
tot of the party."
Gregory was furious. He scowled at the artist like thunder.
"Go on," said Mr. MacAngus; "don't mind me. I always tease little
important boys."
"My name is Gregory Bruce Avory," said Gregory, "and I am seven. I am
going to be an aviator. I have to ask the farmers if we may camp in
their fields, and I keep the corkscrew. Please tell me," he added, "why
you call your horse Pencil?"
"Because he draws me," said Mr. MacAngus.
"And now," he continued, "le
|