FOR YOUNG SHOOTERS 57 



CHAPTEE X 



THE SMOKING-ROOM (concluded) 



I MAY assume that, after the terrible example given 

 in my last chapter, you have firmly made up your 

 mind never on any account to take service in the 

 great army of bores. But this determination is 

 not all that is necessary. A man must constantly 

 keep a strict guard on himself, lest he should un- 

 consciously deviate even for a few minutes into the 

 regions of boredom. Whatever you do, let nothing 

 tempt you to relate more than once any grievance 

 you may have. Nothing, of course, is more 

 poisonous to the aggrieved one than to stifle his 

 grievance absolutely. Once, and once only, he may 

 produce it to his friends. I shall be blamed, per- 

 haps, for making even this slight concession. 

 Please be careful, therefore, not to abuse it. Is 

 there in the whole world a more ridiculous sight 

 than a strong, healthy, well-fed sportsman who 

 wearies his companions one after another with the 



