'I shall not be displeased at your choosing whatever you like best,' said Mr. Gresham.
'Well, then, thank you, sir,' said Hal, 'I think I had better have the uniform, because, if I have not the uniform now directly, it will be of no use to me, as the archery meeting is the week after next, you know; and as to the greatcoat, perhaps between this time and the very cold weather, which perhaps won't be till Christmas, father will buy a greatcoat for me; and I'll ask mother to give me some pocket-money to give away, and she will, perhaps.'
To all this conclusive, conditional reasoning, which depended upon the word perhaps, three times repeated, Mr. Gresham made no reply; but he immediately bought the uniform for Hal, and desired that it should be sent to Lady Diana Sweepstakes' sons' tailor to be made up. The measure of Hal's happiness was now complete.
'And how am I to lay out the three guineas for you, Ben?' said Mr. Gresham. 'Speak; what do you wish for first?'
'A greatcoat, uncle, if you please.'
Mr. Gresham bought the coat, and after it was paid for five-and-twenty shillings of Ben's three guineas remained.
'What next, my boy?' said his uncle.
'Arrows, uncle, if you please—three arrows.'
'My dear, I promised you a bow and arrows.'
'No, uncle, you only said a bow.'