MAYFLY DAYS AND DIALOGUES 41 



take the natural even. Flopped at 'em and let 'em 

 pass on. 



GEORGY : I didn't like to say it before the R. 0., but 

 I'm sure we begin this mayfly fishing too soon. There 

 ought not to be a rod out till the fly has been on at 

 least a couple of days, and not a line should be cast till 

 the fish are taking them freely. 



PARSON : What have you done ? 



GEORGY (motioning to his creel, and creeping softly 

 up the bank, with rod lowered) : Only a couple, and 

 handsome fellows, too. Why one of them is full to 

 the muzzle with drakes ; there's one crawling from 

 between its jaws at this moment. 



PARSON : Heigho ! he's into another. 



GEORGY (having stalked his fish and hooked him, re- 

 tires from the bank and brings a two-pounder down to 

 the net, which the parson handles) : Well, I've got my 

 brace and half, anyhow. 



PARSON (laughing) : To tell you the truth, I came 

 down to beg a touch of the paraffin this time. 



GEORGY : I thought so. Here you are. (Parson 

 returns to his wooden bridge.) They laugh at my 

 fads, but somehow take toll of 'em. (General ap- 

 proaches from below.) Any luck, General ? 



GENERAL (disgusted) : Yes, infernal bad luck ! Two 

 fish broke away one after another. They won't fasten 

 a bit. Never saw anything like it. But I want you 

 to give me one of those gut points out of your damping 

 box. I must get one of those boxes for myself. 



GEORGY (supplying the requisitioned goods) : You'll 

 find it a very useful thing. Your gut will always be 

 ready to use. Ha ! my friend (to trout rising madly 

 twenty yards out), I rather think you'll make number 

 four. (Done accordingly. Spring balance produced ; 

 trout weighed at 2 Ib. I oz. in sight of General.) 



