THIRD DAY. 447 



could keep it to myself, I would not exchange that water 

 for all the land it runs over, to be totally debarred from it. 



PlSC. That compliment to the river speaks you a true 

 lover of the art of angling. And now, Sir, to make part of 

 amends for sending you so uncivilly out alone this morning, 

 I will myself dress you this dish of fish for your dinner : 

 walk but into the parlour, you will find one book or other 

 in the window to entertain you the while, and you shall 

 have it presently, 



VlAT. Well, Sir, I obey you. 



PlSC. Look you, Sir, have I not made haste ? 



VlAT. Believe me, Sir, that you have ; and it looks so 

 well, I long to be at it. - 



PlSC. Fall to, then. Now, Sir, what say you, am I a to- 

 lerable cook or no ? 



VlAT. So good a one, that I did never eat so good fish 

 in my life. This fish is infinitely better than any I ever 

 tasted of the kind in my life : 't is quite another thing than 

 our trouts about London. 



PlSC. You would say so, if that trout you eat of were in 

 right season. But pray eat of the grayling, which, upon my 

 word, at this season is by far the better fish. 



VlAT. In earnest and so it is ; and I have one request to 

 make to you, which is, that as you have taught me to catch 

 trout and grayling, you will now teach me how to dress 

 them as these are drest, which questionless is of all other 

 the best way. 



PlSC. That I will, Sir, with all my heart, and am glad 

 you like them so well as to make that request. And they 

 are drest thus : 



Take your trout, wash, and dry him with a clean napkin ; 



