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The Great Oration 'If it keeps on like this we won't be able to go home neither,' remarked Easton.

'Well, we're all right 'ere, ain't we?' said the man behind the moat. 'There's a nice fire and plenty of heasy-chairs. Wot the 'ell more do you want?'

'Yes,' remarked another philosopher, 'if we only had a shove ha'penny table or a ring board I reckon we should be able to enjoy ourselves all right.'

At this moment the two truants returned, looking very important. Philpot was armed with a hammer, and carrying a pair of steps, while Harlow bore a large piece of wall-paper which they proceeded to tack on the wall, much to the amusement of the others, who read the following announcement, written in charcoal:

On Thursday at 12.30 Prompt

Will Deliver a

Entitled

(Late absconding secretary of the Light Refreshment Fund)

Will take the chair and anything else he can lay his hands on.

At The End of The Lecture

And carried out according to The Marquis of Queensberry's Rules.

A collection will be took up in aid of the cost of printing. 329