144 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



for Londoners to go that distance for the fish, 

 as they are very numerous, and of large size, 

 nearer London. The Thames at Weybridge, 

 the Medway, and the Mole are noted for them, 

 the last-named river particularly so. Any quiet 

 flow of water suits the carp-like habits of the 

 bream ; depth of swim, where he can range 

 leisurely to and fro, is to him a necessity, and 

 all this and more is to be found in the river 

 Mole. 



"How long have you fished here for bream?" 

 I lately asked a man, whom I met in a secluded 

 nook of the river-side. 



" Well now, let me see ; I reckins off an' on 

 like fur fifteen years. You knows things is 

 altered ; well, when the notice-boards was put 

 up sayin' as all them as wanted tu fish would 

 hev tu pay for it, I waunt a-goin' tu run my 

 head agin a brick wall ; fishin' is like wittles 

 an' drink tu me. So I goes tu the one as 

 has tu du with it, an' I puts it straight. * I 

 can't affoord much,' I says, 'fur I ain't got it, 

 but I do want tu fish.' An' he looks me over, 

 up an' down, an' then he says, 'As I'd come 

 tu him like that, he'd only charge me a' ah 

 wait a bit, let me see a nom-sumthin." 



" A nominal sum ? " I suggested. 



