34 CONVERSATIONAL HINTS 



First Sp. Joking ? Not I ! I tell you six 

 solid women are going to lunch with us. I heard 

 'em all talking about it after breakfast, and think- 

 ing it would be, oh, such fun ! By the way, I sup- 

 pose you know you've got a hole in your knicker- 

 bockers. 



Tommy (looking down, and perceiving a huge and 

 undisguisable rent). Good heavens ! so I have. 

 I must have done it getting over the last 

 fence. Isn't it awful ? I can't show like this. 

 Have you got any pins ? 



[The Keeper eventually promises that there shall 

 be pins at the farm-house. 



Another Sportsman (bringing up the rear with a 

 companion). Hope we shan't be long over lunch. 

 There's a lot of ground to cover this afternoon, 

 and old Sykes tells me they've got a splendid head 

 of birds this year. I always think - (He breaks 

 off suddenly ; an expression of intense alarm comes 

 over his face.) Why, what's that ? No, it can't be ! 

 Yes, by Jingo, it is ! It's the whole blessed lot of 

 women come out to lunch, my wife and all. Well, 

 poor thing, she couldn't help it. Had to come 

 with the rest, I suppose. But it's mean of Chal- 

 mersI swear it is. He ought not to have allowed 



