OF TWO KEEPERS 33 



for from that moment William had me at his 

 mercy. 



It was nearly half-past nine, when, having 

 brought his last cauliflower to my notice, William 

 gave me permission to seek my breakfast. He 

 would call for me at the Inn at ten. This was 

 the moment for speaking up. I should have said : 

 " William, do not call for me at ten ; do not 

 follow me to the river. I shall do capitally alone. 

 Do not put yourself out on my account. Stay 

 here, William, and cultivate your garden." But 

 I had not the courage to say this. It were easier 

 to decline an invitation to Windsor. There is no 

 doubt that he felt that in accompanying me he 

 would be doing me not so much a service as an 

 honour, and to hint that I would rather be with- 

 out him was beyond me. " But he will quickly 

 tire," I reflected, "of seeing me blundering about 

 and putting down rising fish. He will stay an 

 hour at the most. I shall soon be alone." And 

 I agreed to wait for him at the Inn till ten. As 

 I ate my eggs and toast I indulged in the hope 

 that after all William might find wire-worms 

 among his carnations, and as I put up my rod and 

 greased my line in the porch, that hope grew 

 stronger with each minute which brought the hand 

 of the clock nearer to the hour, for still no 

 glimpse of William was visible upon the road. 



