"Gratifying! what _can_ you mean?"

"If your name is announced, there'll not be a box to be had."

"I always look after my own boxes, I can tell you," replied Dumps.

"By all means, you _will_ come out here of course?"

"Come out? to be sure, I sha'n't stay within doors always."

"What do you mean to come out in?"

"Why, what I've got on will do very well."

"Oh, that's so like you," said Opie, shaking his sides with laughter,
"you really _are_ inimitable!--What character do you select here?"

"Character!" said Dumps, "the stranger."

"The Stranger! _you?_"

"Yes, _I._"

"And you really mean to come out here as the Stranger?" said Opie.

"Why, yes to be sure--I'm but just come."

"Then I shall put your name in large letters immediately, we will open
this evening; and as to terms, you shall have half the receipts of the