DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 111 



was instantly solved by placing his rods from seat 

 to seat and hanging it upon them, and there it hung 

 without a tear, and was soon forgotten in the ani- 

 mated conversation that ensued between the sports- 

 men and the ladies. No one knows what might 

 have been said before they reached Salisbury had 

 not the handle of the bait-can lost its central bearing 

 and slid until it hung on by a corner and thus 

 emptied itself of its contents, excepting one strong 

 dace which stayed behind to drum in the otherwise 

 empty tin. Fortunately the train was just then 

 entering Basingstoke station, where the editor's 

 voice, calling for "Paper, porter! Porter, paper!" 

 soon brought to him all he needed for the thirsty 

 baits and for fresh cushions for the ladies' feet. 



What happened to the anglers after they left 

 Basingstoke up to their arrival at the farmhouse 

 at which they stayed the night I cannot say ; but 

 I was told by the artist of the care that had been 

 displayed in providing safe lodgings for the bait. 



By driving from Richmond to Surbiton I was 

 able to catch the early morning train. Fairies, 

 good fairies there were no others in my mother's 

 tales are the food for children's brains, and they 

 should be fed on them until the old Adam in their 

 blood, that would fill their dreams and imaginings 

 with frightening bogies, has no chance. So fully 

 was I fed on them that to me there has ever been 

 a taste of fairies in all that's good. Some men 

 I know have one always with them that peeps out 

 on the world from the corners of their eyes and 

 prompts their tenement what to say. The cabby 

 that drove me from Richmond to Surbiton had one 

 I am sure, for, without the slightest pother, he not 



