VII 



' BY STREAM AND RIVER ' 



I BELIEVE, unless my memory plays me false, that 

 I left myself making my bed, and a very jolly 

 occupation it was. Your beds are dull affairs — ^just 

 a rummage of sheets and blankets, with a pillow 

 and a bolster — and you get none of the fun of find- 

 ing them nor of making them for yourselves ; not 

 many of you, at any rate, though I did once meet 

 a thoroughly sensible human being, as you will find 

 out in due time, if you continue to listen to what 

 I have to say. 



I was not going to hurry myself over so pleasant 

 a task, you bet. Perhaps that is rather a rude 

 expression ; I learnt it from a chum of mine who 

 took a trip over to America and back ; but as he 

 will want a whole chapter to himself, I must not 

 talk about him now. At any rate, there is no 

 need for you to add the expression, which I used 

 quite by accident, I assure you, to the choice list 

 which you already possess. 



151 



