or
things, Sir, she bid me say, to look at; but considering she had but one
hand to work with, and _that_ her left hand, you'll not despise 'em, we
hopes."

He held the balls to Ben and Hal. "They are both alike, gentlemen," said
he; "if you'll be pleased to take 'em, they are better than they look,
for they bound higher than your head; I cut the cork round for the
inside myself, which was all I could do."

"They are nice balls, indeed; we are much obliged to you," said the
boys, as they received them, and they proved them immediately. The balls
struck the floor with a delightful sound, and rebounded higher than Mr.
Gresham's head. Little Patty clapped her hands joyfully; but now a
thundering double rap at the door was heard.

"The Master Sweepstakes, Sir," said Stephen, "are come for Master Hal;
they say that all the young gentlemen who have archery uniforms are to
walk together in a body, I think they say, Sir; and they are to parade
along the Well-Walk, they desired me to say, Sir, with a drum and fife,
and so up the hill, by Prince's Place, and all to go upon the Downs
together, to the place of meeting. I am not sure I'm right, Sir, for
both the young gentlemen spoke at once, and the wind is very high at the
street door, so that I could not well make out all they said; but I
believe this is the sense of it."

"Yes, yes," said Hal, eagerly, "it's all right; I know that is just what
was settled the day I dined at Lady Diana's; and Lady Diana and a great
party of gentlemen are to ride--"

"Well, that is nothing to the purpose," interrupted Mr. Gresham. "Don't
keep the Master Sweepstakes waiting; decide--do you choose to go with
them, or with us?"

"Sir--Uncle--Sir, you know, since all the _uniforms_ agreed to go
together--"

"Off with you then, Mr. Uniform, if you mean to go," said Mr. Gresham.

Hal ran downstairs in such a hurry that he forgot his bow and arrows.
Ben discovered this when he went to fetch his own; and the lad from
Bristol, who had been ordered by Mr. Gresham to eat his breakfast before
he proceeded to Redland Chapel, heard Ben talking about his cousin's bow
and arrows.

"I know," said Ben, "he will be sorry not to have his bow with him,
because here are the green knots tied to it, to match his cockade; and
he said that the boys were all to carry their bows as part of the
show."

"If you'll give me leave, sir," said the poor Bristol lad, "I shall have
plenty of time; and I'll run down to t