An Alarming Interlude 



have something moving to enliven the place. . . . 

 First imported were the fish, the gift of Hookie's 

 father, who is, like Polonius, a fishmonger. Gold- 

 fish, he tells me, are the albinos among fish, and 

 the first batch of a dozen with which the lake was 

 stocked were Gold Orfe, which are said never to 

 die of a change of water. 



They died ! 



Inquisition and cross-examination revealed the 

 fact that they had been tipped straight from their 

 own cool can into the rather warmer waters of the 

 lake, and the sudden change was too much for them. 



Hookie's father tried again — there were two 

 survivors of the Orfe to show that the pond was 

 not poisonous — and this time presented me with 

 about thirty carp. With infinite care these were 

 installed in the pond and the three reaches of the 

 river, and all seemed well. 



They were fed on ants' eggs, semolina and 

 worms. 



The lake gained in dignity and importance. 

 It was large enough and sound enough to support 

 life in a shoal of carp. 



Encouraged by this success we learned that the 

 land was envious of the water. Why should it not 

 also support animal life ? 



With the heat of the sun striking up from the 

 l 161 



