first night, therefore, would be spent near Wooestock, the next near
Chipping Norton, and the third near Shipston down in the green meadows on
the banks of the Stour. At Stratford they would find Mrs. Avory waiting for
them, and stay with her at the Shakespeare Hotel for a day or so. By that
time they would know exactly how much or how little they liked the caravan,
and what things were necessary; and then Mrs. Avory would go back and they
would begin their real adventures. Could anything be better? Although, of
course, Robert was very contemptuous of the Shakespeare Hotel part of the
programme. "The idea of sleeping in a bed!" he said.

The next thing to do was to apportion the various duties. Kink, of course,
was arranged for; he was to drive and to look after the horse and sleep as
near the caravan as could be managed; while Diogenes was always to be on
guard. Kink also was to see about water.

Janet was purser and steward. She had to decide what food was wanted, and
to keep the money. Hester was the official letter-writer, and was under a
promise to write home every other evening. Robert was the guide and
geographer; he kept the maps. He was also the telegraphist. Mary Rotheram,
who had taken lessons in cooking, was chief cook, and she was to be helped
by Janet. Jack was superintendent of the washing-up, and Horace Campbell
was his principal ally. (How tired they got of it!) Jack, Horace, and
Robert were carriers between the grocer's, the butcher's, the baker's, and
the Slowcoach.

It was arranged that Gregory, being the smallest and weakest, and therefore
the least likely to be refused, should go on and ask leave of the farmers
on whose land it was proposed to rest the caravan at night. Mary Rotheram
should be his companion, and ask for eggs and milk at the same time.