ld had the
means to pay, which it didnt--and to operate for five.

During those six months the Grass ravenously snatched morsel after
morsel. New Zealand's South Island, New Caledonia, the Solomons and the
Marianas were gobbled at the same moment. It gorged on New Guinea and
searched out the minor islands of the East Indies as a cat searches for
baby fieldmice in a nest her paw has discovered. It took a bite of the
Queensland coast just below the Great Barrier Reef. The next day it was
reported near Townsville and soon after on the Cape York peninsula, the
Australian finger pointing upward to islands where lived little black
men with woolly hair.

The people of Melbourne and Sydney and Brisbane took the coming of the
Grass with calm anger. Preparations for removal had been made months
before and this migration was distinguished from previous ones by its
order and completeness. But although they moved calmly in accordance
with clear plans their anger was directed against all those in authority
who had failed to take measures to protect their beloved land.

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania went. The Grass swept
southward like a sickle, cutting through South Australia and biting deep
with its point into Western. Although we were amply provided with raw
material, considering the curtailment of our activities, Preblesham, on
the spot, could not resist buying up great herds of sheep for a penny on
the pound and having them driven northward in the hope of finding
somehow a means to ship them. I am sorry to say--though I'm afraid I
could have predicted it--this venture was a total loss.

_85._ Burlet, unfolding the _Times_ on my breakfastplate, coughed
respectfully. "If I could speak to you at your convenience, sir?"

"What is it, Burlet? Lord Arpers finally come through with a higher
offer?"

"Not at all, sir. I consider the question of service closed as long as
you find yourself satisfied, sir."

"Quite satisfied, Burlet."

"I ad in mind the discussion of quite another matter, sir. Not relating
to domestic issues."

"Very well, Burlet. Come into the library after breakfast."

"Very good, sir."

With a world of problems on my mind I thought it would be wryly amusing
to resolve whatever difficulties troubled my butler. Promptly after I
had settled myself at my desk and before I rang for my secretary, Burlet
appeared in the doorway, his striped vest smoothed down over his rounded
abdomen, every