“Why, everybody is here,” said Miss Limpenny, “except, of course, the Vicar.  There’s Pharaoh Geddye waving a flag, and blind Sam Hockin and Mrs. Hockin with him, I declare, and Bathsheba Merryfield, and Jim the dustman, and Seth Udy in the band—­he must have taken the pledge lately—­and Walter Sibley and a score I don’t even know by sight.  And, bless my heart! that’s old Cobbledick, wooden leg and all!  I thought he was bed-ridden for life.  But I don’t see the arrivals yet.  I wonder who that poor man is, in the crowd—­it can’t be—­and yet—­Why, whatever is the Admiral doing?”

For Admiral Buzza had opened his front gate and deliberately stepped out into the road.

The stranger, dishevelled, haggard and bewildered, had long since abandoned all attempts at explanation and fallen into a desperate apathy, when all at once a dozen voices in front cried “Hush!” The band broke off suddenly, and the cheering died away.

“Make way for the Admiral!” “Out of the road, there!” “The Admiral’s going to speak!” “Silence for the Admiral!”

The stranger looked up and saw through the opening in the crowd a little man advancing, hat in hand.  He had a red face, and the importance of his mission had lent it even a deeper tint than it usually wore:  his bald head was fringed with stiff grey hair:  he was clothed in “pepper-and-salt” trousers, a blue frock-coat and waistcoat, and carried a large bunch of primroses in his buttonhole.  His step was full of dignity and his voice of grave politeness, as he began, with a bow—­

“Though not the accredited spokesman of my fellow-citizens here, I am sure I shall not be deemed presumptuous” (cries of “No”) “if I venture to give expression to some of the kindly sentiments which I am sure we one and all entertain upon this auspicious occasion.”  (Loud cheers.) “For upwards of twenty years I have now resided in this beautiful and prosperous—­I think I may use these words” ("Hear, hear!”) “this beautiful and prosperous little town, and it is therefore with the more sincere pleasure” (here the Admiral laid his hand upon his waistcoat) “that I bid you welcome to Troy.”  (Frantic cheering.) “We had hoped—­I say we had hoped—­to have seen your good lady also among us to-day:  but doubtless when ‘The Bower’ is prepared—­the—­ahem! the bird will fly thither.”

Vociferous applause followed this impromptu trope, and for some moments the Admiral’s voice was completely drowned.

“I hope and trust,” he went on, as soon as silence was restored, “that she enjoys good health.”

The stranger looked more perplexed than ever.

“But be that as it may—­be that, I say, as it may, my pleasant duty is now discharged.  In the name of my fellow-Trojans and in my own name I bid you a hearty welcome to ‘The Bower.’” (Loud and continuous cheering, during which the Admiral handed his card with a flourish, and mopped his brow.)

“I can assure you,” replied the stranger after a pause, “that I am deeply sensible of your kindness—­” (The cheering was renewed.) “While conscious,” he went on, “that I have done nothing to deserve it.  In point of fact, I think you must all be labouring under some ridiculous delusion.”