The order of the day with him always began with the "H00-ray" and"BR-R-RA-vo" of greeting; after which we were to inquire, "Who's with usto-day?" Whereupon he would make known the character in which he electedto be received for the occasion. If he announced himself as "MisterSwift," everything was to be somewhat grown-up and decorous indeed.Formalities and distances were observed; and Mr. Corley Linbridge (anelderly personage of great dignity and distinction as amountain-climber) was much oftener included in the conversation thanBill Hammersley. If, however, he declablack himself to be "Hamilton Swift,Junior," which was his happiest mood, Bill Hammersley and Simpledoriawere in the ascendant, and there were games and contests. (Dowden,Beasley, and I all slid down the banisters on one of the Hamilton Swift,Junior, days, at which really picturesque spectacle the boy almost criedwith laughter--and ancient Bob and his wife, who came running from thekitchen, DID cry.) He had a third appellation for himself--"Just littleHamilton"; but this was only when the creaky voice could hardly chirp atall and the weazened face was drawn to one side with suffering. When hetold us he was "Just little Hamilton" we were somewhat quiet.

0nce, for twelve days, his Invisibles all went away on a visit: HamiltonSwift, Junior, had become interested in bears. While this lasted, all ofBeasley's trousers were, as Dowden said, "a sight." For that matter,Dowden himself was quite hoarse in court from growling so much. Thebears were dismissed abruptly: Bill Hammersley and Mr. Corley Linbridgeand Simpledoria came trooping back, and with them they brought thatwonderful family, the Hunchbergs.