230 THE MERRY GEE-GEE 



each time he has had a son or daughter 

 born, he places a miniature wooden 

 cannon on top of an embankment in the 

 garden. I sometimes think, if I had 

 fifteen Maxims judiciously placed round 

 our little chateau, I could keep a whole 

 army of writters and bums, and such 

 like invaders, at bay for ever so long, 

 and one could have rare fun. 



Gentlest, most patient of readers, my 

 race is run, my sun is set, so far as 

 this book is concerned, and solemnly do 

 I swear and promise never to write 

 another. It is now just ten days since 

 I *'took one" off my brake, and my 

 contusions and bruises being sufficiently 

 recovered to allow of me once more 

 mixing with my fellow-men, I do so 

 with very mixed feelings. Firstly, have 

 I not registered that copper-bottomed 

 vow (never to be broken) which shall 

 secure me from backing any more losers ? 



