SECOND DAY. 401 



PiSC. Enough, Sir, enough ; I have laid open to you the 

 part where I can worst defend myself, and now you attack 

 me there. Come, boy, set two chairs ; and whilst I am 

 taking a pipe of tobacco, which is always my breakfast, we 

 will, if you please, talk of some other subject. 



VlAT. None fitter, then, Sir, for the time and place, than 

 those instructions you promised. 



PiSC. I begin to doubt, by something I discover in you, 

 whether I am able to instruct you or no ; though, if you 

 are really a stranger to our clear northern rivers, I still think 

 I can ; and therefore, since it is yet too early in the morn- 

 ing at this time of the year, to-day being but the Seventh 

 of March, to cast a fly upon the water, if you will direct me 

 what kind of fishing for a trout I shall read you a lecture 

 on, I am willing and ready to obey you. 



VlAT. Why, Sir, if you will so far oblige me, and that it 

 may not be too troublesome to you, I would entreat you 

 would run through the whole body of it ; and I will not 

 conceal from you that I am so far in love with you, your 

 courtesy, and pretty More-Land seat, as to resolve to stay 

 with you long enough by intervals, for I will not oppress 

 you to hear all you can say upon that subject. 



PiSC. You cannot oblige me more than by such a pro- 

 mise ; and therefore, without more ceremony, I will begin 

 to tell you, that my father Walton having read to you 

 before, it would look like a presumption in me (and, per- 

 adventure, would do so in any other man) to pretend to 

 give lessons for angling after him, who, I do really believe, 

 understands as much of it at least as any man in England, 

 did I not pre-acquaint you, that I am not tempted to it by 

 any vain opinion of myself, that I am able to give you 



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