The Great Oration
'If it keeps on like this we won't be able to go home neither,' remarked Easton.
'Well, we're all right 'ere, ain't we?' said the man behind the moat. 'There's a nice fire and plenty of heasy-chairs. Wot the 'ell more do you want?'
'Yes,' remarked another philosopher, 'if we only had a shove ha'penny table or a ring board I reckon we should be able to enjoy ourselves all right.'
At this moment the two truants returned, looking very important. Philpot was armed with a hammer, and carrying a pair of steps, while Harlow bore a large piece of wall-paper which they proceeded to tack on the wall, much to the amusement of the others, who read the following announcement, written in charcoal:
Imperial Bankquet Hall
'The Refuge'
On Thursday at 12.30 Prompt
Professor Owen
Will Deliver a
ORATION
Entitled
The Great Secret, or How to Live
Without Work
The Rev. Joe Philpot
(Late absconding secretary of the Light
Refreshment Fund)
Will take the chair and anything else he can lay
his hands on.
At The End of The Lecture
A Meeting will be Arranged
And carried out according to The Marquis of
Queensberry's Rules.
A collection will be took up in aid of the cost
of printing.
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