MAYFLY DAYS AND DIALOGUES 39 



pleasure alike with imperturbable placidity of temper, 

 and who always uses a double-handed rod for mayfly 

 fishing) : The same to you, old blue-bag. I'll back 

 my 14-footer against your miserable little split cane. 



The GENERAL (a retired Indian officer, given to 

 ancient recollections and gloomy views of life) : Yes, 

 and very little to brag about either. A brace and half 

 of trout on this river in the mayfly week is a very piti- 

 able sight. When I was a boy nobody had a basket of 

 less than eight brace. Even the trout seem under the 

 curse of this so-called new age. 



SUFFIELD : Ay, you not only could, but did, get 

 them easily in the good old times. Why, I have seen 

 the old fogies up at Lord Tummer's water fish from 

 chairs and camp-stools. (Laughter.) Fact, 'pon my 

 word. Each man took his place with his footman 

 behind him, and every man jack of 'em fished in kid 

 gloves. 



The GENERAL : But they got their trout, and plenty 

 of 'em, and if they did take it easy, they filled their 

 baskets. 



The PARSON (the least parson-like member of the 

 party, and beloved, as the right sort of parson always 

 is, by everybody) : This is stale matter. We went over 

 all that ground yesterday, and agreed to take the 

 modern trout as he is, and make the best of him. Call 

 it education or what you like, trout-fishing is not 

 what it was. 



The GENERAL (grunting) : And never will be. I say 

 it all comes from your overstocking and returning 

 hooked fish to the water. You are all too particular 

 by half, and are eaten up with new-fangled notions. 



R. O. : If we fail, it is not, at any rate, for want of 

 preparations, precautions, and theories. Here, Georgy, 

 get up, and arm yourself in regular order. 



