76 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



Mrs Jack whistles to her dog with such vigour 

 that he returns to her from the full length of the 

 longest meadow, but she can also give the sweetest 

 little whistle to announce her coming to a friend. 

 She came merely to ask how many fish I had, but 

 before she clearly understood that there were four 

 roach and three dace, indeed probably before she 

 knew there were seven in all, she had asked another 

 question, expressed sympathy for my forsaken look, 

 and departed Ted-wards. Unfortunately, when she 

 arrived there Ted's 'turn' was over; the lady for whose 

 amusement he had sparkled so had left him, and he 

 was hstening to his prodigal returned. 



Lunch beneath the shade of a bushy-headed pollard 

 near a stream, that brings a httle breeze when the 

 sun is high and gives a golden heat, when the air 

 quivers with visible vibrations as far as eyes can reach, 

 is a joy that should be shared, and is much enhanced 

 when those who share it are three happy couples 

 whose present pleasure is a joint affair. 



The three hampers were three secrets to some of 

 us, but there must have been collaboration to pro- 

 duce results that combined so nicely to make the 

 feast we sat at. The ladies had heard, and doubtless 

 remembered. Jack's tale of a picnic where every one 

 brought something that he or she thought would, when 

 opened before the sitting group, be well received. 



'The first hamper,' so ran Jack's tale, 'was brought 

 forward, and, amid expectant looks, was opened. 

 The result one might have thought would have been 

 delight to all, for all of those around were lovers of 

 a pumpkin pie, and this one's crust looked perfect; 

 but no one had a smile, and the hush that fell was 

 mournful. The bringers of No. 2 hamper were then 

 asked to show what they had brought, but protested 

 that they would not open it, as their share of that 

 good meal was also pumpkin pie, and there could be 

 no need of two. At that there came an exchange of 



