DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 55 



A day ^^'ill often pass without a boat's going through 

 the lock, and it ma}^ happen you will have no chance 

 of speech other than with your companion to this 

 spot. He, or she, and you must sit close together for 

 the fishing if either of you have aught to say, as the 

 best spot is where the fall of tumbling water makes 

 most noise; the speaking lips must almost touch the 

 attentive ear. Yet, strange to sa}^ above or \\ithin 

 the roar of the seething waters there comes, quite 

 distinct, the whispered song of its gladsome hiss and 

 kiss to all obstructions. The lady, who sat by me. had 

 much to say as she watched the churned foam, be- 

 decked with bubbles, break away in lengthy lines that 

 reached the leafy boughs which hid the pool's outlet, 

 and, when the sun's rays were freed from the shadows 

 cast by clouds which wind from out the west had 

 brought, her lips almost touched a listening ear to say, 

 *0h, how lovely those streams of diamonds are, and see 

 how the big bubbles wink as they go along.' 'Lock, 

 lock !' seemed a discordant cry in such a place, at 

 such a time, although it came from Oxford College 

 boys — I beg their pardon, 'men' — and unnecessar^^ 

 too, since no lock-man heard; it is a help-3'ourself 

 lock and weir of which I write. 



