66 IN THE VALE OF 



that lovely ham the first morning, and nothing 

 remained but the bare bone when we left. 



We sallied forth, I say, every morning 

 " Youth at the prow, and pleasure at the helm " 

 (if such a metaphor may be applied to an old 

 man going a-fishing), our satchels well lined with 

 sandwiches cut out of that wonderful ham, and 

 at midday, wherever we could find a cosy corner 

 sheltered from the blazing sun or blustering 

 wind, we feasted as hungry men should. Talk 

 about catching fish ! Of course we caught 

 them whenever we could and who could work 

 harder at the sport than we ? But if we didn't 

 catch them, what cared we ? We were as happy 

 as young kingfishers, the Professor and I. 

 Who, indeed, could be otherwise with such a 

 genial, jovial, humorous, pleasant companion as 

 the Professor? 



To a worn-out old Londoner I wonder if any 

 recreation can be found more exhilarating, more 

 inspiring, more enjoyable if only he can bring 

 his jaded mind into unison and sympathy with 

 his surroundings than to roam quietly by a 

 pleasant stream, through meadows bespangled 

 with the lush glories of the spring, buttercups 

 and daisies, red clover and white, field mar- 



