374 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



the strong inclination of our junior to argue the matter 

 with a good sound stick of fire-wood, a feeling with 

 which we could but sympathize, unfitted him for any 

 but his old part ; for however desirable such an active 

 method of negotiation might be, it was evident that it 

 was as highly inexpedient. 



Suffice it to say that before the afternoon was over 

 we had him. Though as vicious as a bear in a trap 

 whenever he recalled his fancied wrong, in which he 

 had our deepest sympathy in words, at last he con- 

 cluded that, after all, it was not the girl's fault, and that 

 it was hardly square to make one so friendless and so 

 far from home suffer for the misdeeds of others. Not 

 only should she have the place, but he would take her 

 part while she filled the place, and if anybody tried to 

 put on her they should hear from him. 



The beauty of it was that he seemed to have not the 

 slightest suspicion that we had any part in his change 

 of heart, but looked upon it as the natural outgrowth 

 of his own generosity and sense of fair play, which 

 opinion we heartily encouraged and metaphorically 

 patted him on the back as a bright and shining example 

 of all that was chivalrous. And we celebrated our vic- 

 tory with drinks all round. 



But the best came last, as it should in a comedy. 

 When our senior spoke of how troubled the girl had 

 been, how happy she now would be, the pleasure it 

 would give him to carry her the good news, and rose 

 for that purpose, our landlord interposed a prompt veto. 

 We could come along if we liked, but he and he only 

 was to do the talking. And he did, and did it, too, 

 with a rough kindness as far as the girl was personally 

 concerned, and a degree of ferocity when he spoke of 



