"Certainly," said his uncle.
"Ah!" said Hal, sighing, as he looked at the epaulettes. "Uncle, if you would not be displeased, if I choose the uniform—"
"I shall not be displeased at your choosing whatever you like best," said Mr. Gresham.
"Well, then, thank you, sir; 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 great coat, perhaps, between this time and the very cold weather, which, perhaps, won't be till Christmas, papa will buy a great coat for me; and I'll ask mamma to give me some pocket-money to give away, and she will, perhaps."
To all this conclusive, conditional reasoning, which depended upon 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 great coat, 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."