230 THE COMPLETE SPORTSMAN 



" Yes," said George, " I do. I desire it pas- 

 sionately; I don't feel I can survive another 

 moment without it." He carefully inspected 

 the large supply before him, anxiously examin- 

 ing each specimen with the air of a connoisseur. 



" I think I'll have that one," he remarked at 

 last, pointing with a quivering forefinger to a 

 stamp in the very centre of the sheet. 



With an indignant snort the assistant tore a 

 stamp from the outer edge of the sheet and 

 thrust it through the railing, slamming George's 

 halfpenny into the till with every symptom of 

 annoyance. 



My cousin slowly produced a postcard from 

 his pocket, affixed his new purchase to one 

 corner of it, and moved along the counter until 

 he found himself once more face to face with 

 " Inquiries." 



" Forgive my bothering you again," he said 

 to the now familiar clerk who presided over that 

 part of the desk, " but could you tell me one 

 thing ? If I put this postcard into a pillar-box 

 this afternoon, will it reach Birmingham to- 

 morrow morning ?" 



The young woman was evidently ruffled by 

 George's manner, and suspected him of trying 

 to make fun of her. 



" Of course it will," she replied, wdth a scorn- 

 ful laugh. " What a ridiculous question !" 



