46 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



shall ever be seen again. Then he began to drink. 

 Eternal swilling of fragrant liquor ! Oh ! the 

 great cups he took off one after the other ! How 

 they evaporated in front of him ! They came, 

 and they were not. It was like the ocean assimi- 

 lating rivers. What inversions of china ! What 

 journeys they made ! More tea, good lady. Fill 

 it out. Spare not of pouring, sweet hostess, for 

 God made the tea-tree for this very purpose. As 

 I suck tea, it is a great drink ! I have killed fishes 

 all day, but now I will absorb. To the kitchen 

 with you, stout host. Though there be no bells 

 in this house, yet will I tickle it off. Watch me 

 to do it. 'Tis a thing worth learning. There ! 

 it is gone, the precious reviving stuff. And more 

 is to come. What is the rain for but to appease 

 my desire ? It has percolated through much 

 earth, but now it is in my interior. Host, to 

 the back premises with you. There is a fresh 

 brewing required. Cups ! Cups ! Bring me tea 

 in a bath ! 



It is not only in the afternoon that Chavender 

 exhibits these prodigies. Ten at night is his prin- 

 cipal time for tea-drinking. And he sleeps like 

 a child after it. A single cup will keep me waking 

 till dawn ; therefore I envy Chavender, and write 

 in this way about him. I am allowed no tea at 

 night. I am offered bananas by the dispenser 



