In course of time other things were discovered, showing what a thorough person X.was.A large India rubber bath, for instance, and a bath sheet to go under it.A Beatrice oil stove and oil.An electric torch for sudden requirements at night.A tea-basket for picnics.Quantities of cart-oil.Apiece of pumice stone (very thoughtful).There was also a box of little India rubber pads with tintacks, the use for which (not discovered till later) was to prevent the rattling of the furniture by making it fit a little better.And in one of the cupboards was a bottle of camphor pills, and a tin of tobacco labeled "For Tramps and Gypsies."There was even a bookshelf with books on it: "Hans Andersen," "The Arabian Nights," "Lavengro," "Inquire Within," "Mrs.Beeton," "Bradshaw" (rather cowardly, Robert thought), and "The Blue Poetry Book." There was also "The Whole Art of Caravaning," with certain passages marked in pencil, such as this:
"We pull up to measure the breadth of the gate, and if it be broad enough, send forward an ambassador to the farm, who shall explain that we would fain camp here, that we are not gypsies, vagabonds or suspicious characters, that we will leave all as we find it, and will not rob or wantonly destroy.And in case of need, he shall delicately hint that we may incidentally provide good custom in butter, eggs, milk, and half a dozen other things.Our ambassador must also, if it be possible, secure a stall for the horse."And this useful reminder:
"We must have water near at hand and a farm within reasonable distance, and we should look for shelter from prevailing winds.We must avoid soft ground, and it is a mistake to camp in long grass unless the weather be particularly dry.We should be as far as possible from the road if there is much traffic upon it.It is great advantage if there is a stream or lake at hand for bathing.An old pasture field sloping away from the road will often satisfy our requirements in low-lying districts.And up among the moors we shall be content to take a piece of level ground where we can find it.There will be nothing to disturb us there."And this excellent caravan poem:
"I love the gentle office of the cook, The cheerful stove, the placid twilight hour, When, with the tender fragrance of the flower, And all the bubbling voices of the brook, "The coy potato or the onion browns, The tender steak takes on a nobler hue.
I ponder 'mid the falling of the dew, And watch the lapwings circling o'er the downs.
"Like portals at the pathway of the moon Two trees stand forth in pencilled silhouette Against the steel-grey sky, as black as jet--The steak is ready.Ah! too soon! too soon!"So much (with one exception) for the inside of the caravan.Underneath it were still other things, for a box with perforated sides swung between the wheels, and this was the larger, always cool and shady (except, as Janet remarked, on dusty days), and near it on hooks were a hanging saucepan, a great kettle, two pails, and two market baskets, a nose bag, and a skid.
Close by was a place for oats and chaff.
A new set of harness was packed on the box, and it was so complete that on each of the little brass ornaments that hang on the horse's chest was the letter "A." On the back of the caravan was a shelf that might be let down, making a kind of sideboard for outdoor meals.
For two or three days the caravan did nothing but hold receptions.Everyone who knew the Avories came to see it-- even Robert's bird stuffer, who said he would like to borrow it for a week's holiday in Epping Forest, and observe Nature through its windows.Several of Gregory's intimates also examined it, and approved.Miss Bingham pronounced it elegant and commodious, and Mr.Crawley (who, like all schoolmasters and tutors, made too many puns) said that its probable rate of speed reminded him of his name.Collins wished she might never have to cook in it, but otherwise was very tolerant.Eliza Pollard said that her choice would be a motor car, and Jane Masters brought 'Erb back on Sunday afternoon, and they exarmined it together and decided that with such a home as that they might be married at once.
I have left till the last the most exciting thing of all.In an enclosure, you remember, was a key concerning the purpose of which nothing was said in the letter.Well, in the course of the exploration of the caravan, which went on for some days, always yielding a fresh discovery, Robert came upon a box securely fastened to the floor in a dark corner.
"Mother! mother!" he cried; "where's that key? I've found a mysterious keyhole!"They all hurried to the stable yard to see, and Robert swiftly inserted the key, and turned it.He fell back, too much overcome to speak.The box contained twenty-five new sovereigns.
