FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS 35 



it. And then, never to let on about it to us. 

 Well, my day's spoilt if they come on with us 

 afterwards. I couldn't shoot an ostrich sitting with 

 a woman chattering to me. Miss Chickweed's got 

 her eye on you, Lloyd. She's marked you. No 

 good trying to do a ramp. You're nailed, my boy, 

 nailed ! 



Lloyd. Hang Miss Chick weed ! She half killed 

 me last night with all kinds of silly questions. 

 Asked me to be sure and bring her home a rocketing 

 rabbit, because she'd heard they were very valuable. 

 Why can't the women stay at home ? 



[They walk on moodily. 



A few minutes later. Lunch has just begun. 



Miss Chickweed (middle-aged, but skittish). Oh, 

 you naughty men, how long you have kept us 

 waiting ! Now, Captain Lloyd, did you shoot really 

 well ? Or, were you thinking of Well, per- 

 haps I oughtn't to say. See how discreet I am. 

 But do tell me, all of you, exactly how many birds 

 you shot I do so like to hear about it. You begin, 

 Captain Lloyd. How many did you shoot? (With- 

 out waiting for an answer.) I'm sure you must 

 have shot a dozen. Yes, I guess a dozen. And, 

 oh, do give me a f jather for my hat ! It will be so 



D 2 



