THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 145 



with a rather sarcastic smile on his coun- 

 tenance, said he had never heard of any such 

 baits being used, but he might try them if he 

 pleased, and there could be no harm done. 

 " Very good," said Bigings, and off he went full 

 of determination and expectation. A rod and 

 winch, line and hook, float and basket, he 

 bought at the cheapest possible rate, and took 

 them home, telling his good wife that they 

 cost several shillings less than they really did. 

 But it was only what he called a white lie, 

 to keep her from grumbling at the expense. 

 And beside, as a Roman Catholic, he was 

 taught to discriminate between vernal, venal, 

 and penal sins, and he thought there was 

 nothing like trying to keep things pleasant 

 and comfortable, especially with the ladies. 

 His wife said she thought they were all re- 

 markably cheap ; and she wondered how they 

 could be made for the money, for when her 

 brother bought some such things a few years 

 back they were very much dearer. But he 

 rejoined, " You know, my dear, that I always 

 lays out my money to the very best possible 

 advantage." He then pleased her by describ- 

 ing how they were to be used, and showed 

 her what a famous length the rod was, and 

 L 



