John. Hallo, boys! what's the time?

Charley. Eighteen minutes of nine. All ready for the declamation?

John. Not yet; there's time enough.

Ralph. Time enough! What have you selected?

John. "Tell's Address." I'm going to pitch into it now. I can do it in eighteen minutes.

Charley. Why, you haven't left it till now?

John. Of course I have. Time enough, I tell you. I've got a locomotive memory, you know. None of your slow coaches. I shall only have to read it over two or three times.

Ralph. But why didn't you take it up before?

John. What's the use? I went boating yesterday; and last night I went—somewhere else.

Charley. Yes! you took a meloncholy walk. Hey, John?