24 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



stretch herself upon it that she might peep as I had 

 done and soon we were lying side by side, with our 

 chins resting on our wrists, peering down into a little 

 world of wonders, made more wondrous by the 

 doubling shadows of the fish that came within the 

 sunlit spaces. Flecks of foam, stray leaves and 

 twirling dimples, came sailing down as if in full en- 

 joyment of some purpose and the golden pebbles 

 over which they floated took note of them by blink- 

 ing. Birds, suspicious of our intent, made lame 

 fluttering flights so close to us that we could but 

 know that they had treasures near, which they 

 would draw us from. 



After a short stay I helped my partner up the 

 high bank again, and then travelled from pool to 

 pool, getting a trout or two from most of them, 

 until, in answer to my call that I was moving on, I 

 was told a hedge and wide ditch prevented her 

 further progress. I answered back : " I am coming," 

 so as to stay any attempt at leaping, and hastened 

 to climb ; but, in my haste, I slipped back and 

 should have had a nasty fall had it not been for a 

 check in my slide that rent my trousers sadly. I 

 had so recently been mended that I was inclined to 

 conceal this last misfortune, but on feeling for it 

 realised it was useless to hope to hide such an 

 opening as I had made so I dodged a bit, but she 

 smiled a smile that plainly said : " What is it now ? " 

 I showed her, and she exclaimed : " Oh, dear, I 

 can't mend this. Why, you have torn a big piece 

 out. This makes three pairs you have spoilt 

 already. I think we had better give up the woods, 

 Phil, and spend the rest of our time as far from 

 thorns and brambles as we can, or what will you be 



