Siste, viator! 
     Si uxorem requiris, circumspice!

This proposed expedition was a great event in our comparatively quiet circle.  The Mistress, who was interested in the school, undertook to be the matron of the party.  The young Doctor, who knew the roads better than any of us, was to be our pilot.  He arranged it so that he should have the two Annexes under his more immediate charge.  We were all on the lookout to see which of the two was to be the favored one, for it was pretty well settled among The Teacups that a wife he must have, whether the bald spot came or not; he was getting into business, and he could not achieve a complete success as a bachelor.

Number Five and the Tutor seemed to come together as a matter of course.  I confess that I could not help regretting that our pretty Delilah was not to be one of the party.  She always looked so young, so fresh,—­she would have enjoyed the excursion so much, that if she had been still with us I would have told the Mistress that she must put on her best dress; and if she had n’t one nice enough, I would give her one myself.  I thought, too, that our young Doctor would have liked to have her with us; but he appeared to be getting along very well with the Annexes, one of whom it seems likely that he will annex to himself and his fortunes, if she fancies him, which is not improbable.

The organizing of this expedition was naturally a cause of great excitement among The Teacups.  The party had to be arranged in such a way as to suit all concerned, which was a delicate matter.  It was finally managed in this way:  The Mistress was to go with a bodyguard, consisting of myself, the Professor, and Number Seven, who was good company, with all his oddities.  The young Doctor was to take the two Annexes in a wagon, and the Tutor was to drive Number Five in a good old-fashioned chaise drawn by a well-conducted family horse.  As for the Musician, he had gone over early, by special invitation, to take a part in certain musical exercises which were to have a place in the exhibition.  This arrangement appeared to be in every respect satisfactory.  The Doctor was in high spirits, apparently delighted, and devoting himself with great gallantry to his two fair companions.  The only question which intruded itself was, whether he might not have preferred the company of one to that of two.  But both looked very attractive in their best dresses:  the English Annex, the rosier and heartier of the two; the American girl, more delicate in features, more mobile and excitable, but suggesting the thought that she would tire out before the other.  Which of these did he most favor?  It was hard to say.  He seemed to look most at the English girl, and yet he talked more with the American girl.  In short, he behaved particularly well, and neither of the young ladies could complain that she was not attended to.  As to the Tutor and Number Five, their going together caused no special