DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT ii 



foot unshod and refused to listen to my generous offer 

 to run \dth both feet bootless. 



Mine was a happy boyhood, but by far the greatest 

 happiness came to me — as it comes to most — in the 

 harvest time of the m.arried state. Let the children 

 come, rejoice and be thankful, and pity those to whom 

 they have been denied. Just half a score, enough, 

 but not too many, were given to me. 



Seven sons and dad could play at almost any game; 

 a little addition and we were a side for cricket; but 

 m.y sons had sisters and my sons' friends had sisters 

 too, and the f.ocks got mixed, and now my sons and 

 daughters are some one else's and some one else's 

 sons and daughters mine. 



W. K., my photographer, who has been so full of 

 tricks when on the road or by the river that I have 

 slaved with his impedimenta up hills and down dales 

 until he found a scene that pleased him, was the last 

 to go. Listen to him : — 



*Dad, we think we should like to go to Devon 

 for our honevTQOon, to some quiet place where we 

 can get a httle fishing. Bertha thinks she will be 

 fond of fishing.' 



Wise Bertha. Where shall I suggest their going? 

 Pictures of scenes tumble out in quick succession 

 and fade away as quickly, leaving one that has a face 

 in every path and by eveiy pool. 



A caressing hand reminded me the lad was waiting, 

 and, as I could not trust myself to tell him then, I 

 asked for time, sa\ing, 'There is a week yet before 

 the wedding.' 



When he had left me I thought to write him a brief 

 account of where to go, how to get there, the tackle 

 necessary, and where to find the pools, but I lost 

 myself in memories and WTote much more than J 

 intended. 



