Nevertheless, the day of departure found me quite prepared. At least I
fancied I was amply prepared for all situations; but who can forestall
the emergencies that may confront one when one, leaving one's accustomed
mode of life, plunges one's self headlong into another sphere, of an
entirely dissimilar aspect? Who, I repeat, can foretell these?

I had meant to proceed afoot to the station, carrying my impedimenta, as
an example of hardihood and endurance for the benefit of my young
adherents; but such was the number of parcels and their awkwardness of
shape and bulk that at the final moment, after I had painfully strained
my arms in an effort to raise the largest pack to my back, and after I
had been repeatedly tripped by the handle of my woodsman's axe, which I
wore in my belt, I suffered Mrs. Dorcas to summon a hired hack or
conveyance. Seated on the rear seat of this vehicle, carrying some of my
equipage in my lap and having the rest piled about me, I was conveyed to
the station.

Seemingly tidings of our excursion had spread, for an unusually large
crowd was gathered on the platform as I drove up. Again, if I must own
it, the old feeling of conspicuousness in regard to my throat and knees
assailed me. Possibly this emotion was accentuated by a trifling
circumstance that eventuated as I sought to alight from the hack.
Hampered by my belongings, I stumbled on the handle of my axe, which
persistently trailed between my limbs, and was thrown headlong between
the wheels, while many of my dislodged parcels descended on me,
retarding my efforts to regain my equilibrium.

Having been assisted to my feet by several bystanders, I lost no time in
entering the waiting room, where, noting that I was apparently the
object of some quite unnecessary curiosity on the part of those
present, I remained in a corner surrounded by my bundles and with my
handkerchief fanning my face, which felt quite warm, until the moment
for departure drew near. Several times during this interval I caught
myself regretting that I had arrived so early; half an hour or more
elapsed before my young followers began to appear, straggling in one by
one.

To my great surprise and no less disappointment I discovered that of all
our number I alone was properly clad and accoutred for this, our very
first outing. In the main the members who appeared were attired merely
in their customary garments. Each in turn explained that for various
reasons he had been u