MAYFLY DAYS AND DIALOGUES 45 



be having a morning and evening rise to-morrow very 

 likely. Now for the spoil. Where's Georgy ? We 

 want his steelyard. 



GEORGY : Here I am. Here's my basket, and here's 

 my game-book on my shirt cuff if, if, 2, 2^, ij, ij, 

 a d d big dace, and a black grayling. 



R. O. : Oh, a grayling on the 3rd June ! 



GEORGY : Couldn't help it ; fly right down his gullet. 

 Besides, you said you wanted them all out of the water. 



The PARSON (weighing his fish) : Mine is a back seat. 

 I had twenty misses to one hit. Still, I'm content 

 3 lb., 2j lb., and a pound roach. 



The GENERAL (smoking a cheroot on a chair brought 

 out of the hut) : My muster roll is soon read three 

 fish, total 4 lb. 



R. 0. : Harvey has reckoned me up. There are five 

 fish, weighing 10 lb. 



SUFFIELD (sauntering up and humming " Now the 

 labourer's task is o'er," and surveying the groups of 

 trout, disposed on the grass in their tribes and house- 

 holds apart) : What a sight for the tired angler. Ah ! 

 after you with the shandy-gaff. How many ? I really 

 haven't counted ; but I've had a lovely time at the 

 wood. (Harvey turns out basket, and weighs fish.) 

 Only seven well, I must do better next time. 13 lb., 

 too ; that's not high average ; but I report myself 

 satisfied. Here comes Terlan with the mainmast of 

 his brother's yacht. 



TERLAN (smiling) : Yes, the spar is all right. Sport ? 

 Pretty fair, but I haven't been working like galley 

 slaves as some of you have. Lay the lot out decently, 

 Tommy, and don't smother them in grass next time. 



R. O. : This is the bag of bags, gentlemen. Four 

 brace of trout, and at the head of the row a fish of 

 3! lb. Have him set up, Terlan ; it's the most shapely 



