82 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



along the course the float would follow and some of 

 it, at times, reached an eddy where it went round 

 and round so attractively as to entice the chub to 

 come from out submerged boughs to fall a victim to 

 the sly fisher who increased his lure to meet their 

 love of mouthfuls, and it was in such fashion that he 

 often beat patient Jack and little less patient Phil. 



Unkind folk are apt to say that women do not 

 really love each other, but could they who think so 

 have seen the three ladies walking amidst the 

 meadow flowers with arms entwined they must have 

 confessed that here at least, where love showed 

 so manifest, there could be no room for the envy, 

 jealousy and uncharitableness, so much talked of. 



Arms untwined and footsteps wandered, and visits 

 of encouragement were paid to the fishers. My 

 partner was giving ear to Ted, who was never so 

 real a fisher that he could not find time to talk silly 

 nonsense to any listener by the hour. 



I have had many proofs that my rod and handy 

 method are much approved of by lady anglers. 

 Mrs Ted has told me that Ted's rod, with its rings 

 and entangling line, is not nearly so nice as mine 

 and that she is sure she should never learn which 

 way to turn his winch, so no wonder that when sport- 

 ing instincts moved her she should come to frsh with 

 mine again. I cannot portray her pretty face and 

 pretty way when giving her command with tutored 

 voice and gesture : 



" Give me mine angle. We'll to the river. There 

 My music playing far off, I will betray 

 Tawny-finned fishes ; my bended hooks shall pierce 

 Their slimy jaws : and as I draw them up 

 I'll think them every one an Antony 

 And say ' Ah Ah ! you're caught.' " 



