CH. IV.] A Rat-catcher* s Picnic. 77 



hostess looks anxious about her glass and 

 plate ; someone has forgotten the salt, and 

 some one else the corkscrew. The host, be 

 he ever so sad, makes fun, and made fun is 

 magnified misery to me. No, I don't like 

 picnics ; I would rather be at home and feed 

 upon a table ; and yet a snack at noon-day, 

 after hard work, sitting under a tree, with 

 your hands as plates, with a good ** shut- 

 knife," a silent companion and the dogs all 

 round you, is pleasant. Double Gloucester 

 then equals Stilton, and bottled beer nectar ; 

 and then the pipe in quiet, while Jack takes 

 the dogs, after they have finished the scraps, 

 to the pond to drink. Talk of Havanas ! 

 Well, talk of them, but give me that pipe as I 

 loll, half asleep, resting against the tree, my 

 legs spread out, and my hat tipped over my 

 nose. I half close my eyes and go nearly to 

 sleep, but keep pulling at the pipe, and half 

 unconsciously hear the leaves whispering 



