They accepted, and then went to bed; for they had passed
the night under the tree in which they had hidden their purchase, and, as
may be imagined, had slept but little. They rested all day, and
transferred themselves and their belongings to the Mayor's house in time
to dress for dinner.
When they came down into the drawing-room they found a brilliant company
assembled, chiefly Musical-Bankical like themselves. There was Dr.
Downie, Professor of Logomachy, and perhaps the most subtle dialectician
in Erewhon. He could say nothing in more words than any man of his
generation. His text-book on the "Art of Obscuring Issues" had passed
through ten or twelve editions, and was in the hands of all aspirants for
academic distinction. He had earned a high reputation for sobriety of
judgement by resolutely refusing to have definite views on any subject;
so safe a man was he considered, that while still quite young he had been
appointed to the lucrative post of Thinker in Ordinary to the Royal
Family. There was Mr. Principal Crank, with his sister Mrs. Quack;
Professors Gabb and Bawl, with their wives and two or three erudite
daughters.
Old Mrs. Humdrum (of whom more anon) was there of course, with her
venerable white hair and rich black satin dress, looking the very ideal
of all that a stately old dowager ought to be.
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