This picnic was, in truth, made ever memorable in the circle of Mrs.
Mangan's friends by reason of the triumph of Tishy.

"Ah, that was the day she cot the two birds under the one stone!"
Great-Aunt Cantwell (who did not care for her great-niece) was
accustomed to say. "Well! Such goings-on! And after all, Tishy's
nothing so much out of the way, for all Frankie Mangan thinks the
world should die down before her!"

The two birds referred to were still fluttering round their captor,
when a new element was added to the party in the large presence of
"Frankie Mangan" himself. The Big Doctor approached slowly,
elephant-like in his noiseless, rolling gait, impressive, as is an
elephant, in size, in the feeling he imparted of restrained strength,
of intense intelligence, masked, as in an elephant, with benevolence,
and held watchfully in reserve.

He now advanced upon the scene of festivity with purpose in his
manner.

"Now, ladies! Let me tell you I'm come on a very unpopular errand! To
apply the closure! I think you're all sitting out here long enough for
the time of year. Remember it's only May!"

"We're more likely to remember it's Mayn't!" retorted Mrs. Whelply,
who was a recognised wit, and opponent of the Big Doctor. "Isn't it
enough for him to bully us when we're sick, but he comes tormenting us
when we're well, too!"

Thus she appealed to her fellow-matrons, looking round upon them for