84 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



knew there were seven in all, she had asked an- 

 other question, expressed sympathy for my forsaken 

 look and departed Ted-wards. Unfortunately, 

 when she arrived there Ted's "turn" was over; 

 the lady for whose amusement he had sparkled so 

 had left him and he was listening to his prodigal 

 returned. 



Lunch beneath the shade of a bushy-headed 

 pollard near a stream that brings a little breeze 

 when the sun is high and gives a golden heat, 

 when the air quivers with visible vibrations as far 

 as eyes can reach, is a joy that should be shared, 

 and is much enhanced when those who share it are 

 three happy couples whose present pleasure is a 

 joint affair. 



The three hampers were three secrets to some of 

 us but there must have been collaboration to pro- 

 duce results that , combined so nicely to make the 

 feast we sat at. The ladies had heard, and doubt- 

 less remembered, Jack's tale of a picnic where 

 everyone brought something that he or she thought 

 would, when opened before the sitting group, be 

 well received. 



"The first hamper," so ran Jack's tale, "was 

 brought forward, and, amid expectant looks, was 

 opened. The result one might have thought would 

 have been delight to all, for all of those around 

 were lovers of a pumpkin pie and this one's crust 

 looked perfect ; but no one had a smile and the 

 hush that fell was mournful. The bringers of No. 

 2 hamper were then asked to show what they had 

 brought, but protested that they would not open it 

 as their share of that good meal was also pumpkin 

 pie, and there could be no heed of two. At that 



