DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 77 



looks, and this revealed the truth that every member 

 of the company had placed his hope of bringing a sur- 

 prise in pumpkin pie.' 



There was no superabundance of any one confection 

 at our picnic, but a variety, not strictly necessary 

 to stimiilate our appetites. Of course Ted was presi- 

 dent — he is hard to beat in that position — and laughter 

 was loud and merry, and seemed likel}^ to last well into 

 the afternoon, had I not remiinded them there were 

 rods to use and fish to catch. Even then they seemed 

 in no great hurry to move. Jack was anxious to give 

 a tip of an expected boom which was likely to mean 

 profit for him and others on the Exchange. Ted 

 turned to his wiie and said, 'Jack and his booms ! 

 They're rather hke our stage banquets, Kate — not 

 over-fattening.' 



'Actors ever know,' came the retort, 'how to play 

 any part in life better than those whose part it really 

 is, and are always confident that they can better 

 their instruction. If you would but follow my advice 

 wholly, Ted, and not in part, as you sometimes do, 

 you would find enough to feed on. \\'hen you have 

 made a lucky hit, through lack of confidence 3'ou put 

 but little in, and, what is w^orse, in total opposition 

 to my advice, at the first rise, you part instead of 

 holding.' 



'I agree with you. Jack,' said Mrs Ted, 'and when 

 he should have sold he has held, totally against even 

 my advice, until he has had a cheque for a few shillings 

 from the wreck at the wind-up.' 



'Better a cheque for shillings,' chimed in Mrs Phil, 

 'than postage stamps for pence. Eh, Phil? But 

 your experience was cheaply bought. Gambling: is 

 better left to experts.' 



'Dear, cautious little Devonshire,' said i\Irs Jack. 

 'But, there, you men get back to your fishing now, 

 and we'll pack up to save your time, unless you are 

 content to leave Jack an easy first.' 



