"I said I would if he thought it necessary to have one."
"O, I'll answer for it he'll think it necessary," said Hal, laughing, "because it is necessary."
"Allow him at least to judge for himself," said Mr. Gresham.
"My dear uncle, but I assure you," said Hal, earnestly, "there's no judging about the matter, because, really, upon my word, Lady Diana said distinctly that her sons were to have uniforms, white, faced with green, and a green and white cockade in their hats."
"May be so," said Mr. Gresham, still with the same look of calm simplicity. "Put on your hats, boys, and come with me. I know a gentleman whose sons are to be at this archery meeting; and we will inquire into all the particulars from him. Then after we have seen him, (it is not eleven o'clock yet,) we shall have time enough to walk on to Bristol, and choose the cloth for Ben's uniform, if it is necessary."
"I cannot tell what to make of all he says," whispered Hal, as he reached down his hat; "do you think, Ben, he means to give you this uniform, or not?"
"I think," said Ben, "that he means to give me one, if it is necessary, or, as he said, if I think it necessary."
"And that to be sure you will; won't you? Or else you'll be a very great fool, I know, after all I've told you. How can any one in the world know so much about the matter as I, who have dined with Lady Diana Sweepstakes but yesterday, and heard all about it, from beginning to end? And as for this gentleman that we are going to, I'm sure, if he knows any thing about the matter, he'll say exactly the same as I do."
"We shall hear," said Ben, with a degree of composure which Hal could by no means comprehend, when a uniform was in question.
The gentleman upon whom Mr. Gresham called had three sons, who were all to be at this archery meeting; and they unanimously assured him, in the presence of Hal and Ben, that they had never thought of buying uniforms for this grand occasion, and that, amongst the number of their acquaintance, they knew of but three boys whose friends intended to be at such an unnecessary expense.