_The Curate_ (_to himself, disappointed_). He's afraid of a poor harmless Monkey--and he an Army man, too! But I _don't_ see why _I_-- _Miss Gussie Grissell_. Oh, Mr. HEADNOTE, _isn't_ it ridiculous! They've given me a Kitten! It makes me feel too absurdly young! _The Curate_ (_eagerly_). If you would prefer a--a more appropriate animal, there's a Monkey, which I am sure--(_To himself, as Miss G. turns away indignantly_). This Monkey doesn't seem very popular--there must be _someone_ here who--I'll try the American Lady--they are generally eccentric. (_To Mrs. HEBER K. BANGS._) I hope Fortune has been kind to you, Mrs. BANGS? _Mrs. Bangs_. Well, I don't know; there _are_ quadrupeds that can trot faster over the measured mile than a Tortoise, and that's _my_ animal. _The Curate_ (_with sympathy_). Dear me! That is a trial, indeed, for you! But if you would prefer something rather more exciting, I should be most happy, I'm sure, to exchange my Monkey-- _Dick Gatling_ (_bustling up_). Hallo, what's that? No, no, Mrs. BANGS--be true to your Tortoise. I tell you he's going to romp in--AEsop's tip, don't you know? I've backed you to win or a place. I say, what do you think _I_'ve drawn--the Mutton! Just my luck! _The Curate_. DICK, just come this way a moment--I've a proposition to make; it's occurred to me that the Monkey would feel more--more at home with you, and, in short, I-- _Mr. Plumley Duff_ (_plaintively, to Miss CYNTHIA CHAFFERS_). I shouldn't have minded any other animal--but to be paired off with a Goose! _Miss Chaffers_ (_consolingly_). You're better off than _I_ am, at all events--I've got a Puppy! _Mr. Duff_. Have you? (_After a pause--sentimentally_.) Happy Puppy! _Miss C._ He'll be anything but a happy Puppy if he doesn't win. _Mr. Duff_. Oh, but he's sure to. I know I would, if _I_ was your Puppy! _Miss C._ I'm not so sure of that. Don't they lodge objections, or something, for boring? _Mr. Fanshawe_. Can anybody inform me whether I'm expected to go and catch my Peacock? Because I'll be hanged if-- _The Curate_. Oh, Miss STELLA, it's all right--Mr. GATLING thinks that it would be better if he undertook the Monkey himself; so we've arranged to-- _Miss Stella_. Oh, nonsense, DICK! I can't have you taking advantage of Mr. HEADNOTE's good-nature like that. What's the use of drawing lots at all if you don't keep to them? Of _course_ Mr. HEADNOTE will keep the Monkey. [_The unfortunate Curate accepts his lot with Christian resignation_. _Dick_. Well, _that's_ settled--but I say, STELLA, where's my Mutton's moorings--and what's to be the course? _Stella_. The course is straight up the Avenue from the Lodge to the House, and I've told them to get all the beasts down there ready for us; so we'd better go at once. THE START.