en we shall have the old game over again--short rises
and bad language all along the line. Terlan's rod is enough to drive
flies and fish out of the county.

TERLAN (a merry little squire, who takes business and pleasure alike
with imperturbable placidity of temper, and who always uses a
double-handed rod for mayfly fishing): The same to you, old blue-bag.
I'll back my 14-footer against your miserable little split cane.

The GENERAL (a retired Indian officer, given to ancient recollections
and gloomy views of life): Yes, and very little to brag about either.
A brace and half of trout on this river in the mayfly week is a very
pitiable sight. When I was a boy nobody had a basket of less than
eight brace. Even the trout seem under the curse of this so-called new
age.

SUFFIELD: Ay, you not only could, but did, get them easily in the good
old times. Why, I have seen the old fogies up at Lord Tummer's water
fish from chairs and camp-stools. (Laughter.) Fact, 'pon my word.
Each man took his place with his footman behind him, and every man jack
of 'em fished in kid gloves.

The GENERAL: But they got their trout, and plenty of 'em, and if they
did take it easy, they filled their baskets.

The PARSON (the least parson-like member of the party, and beloved, as
the right sort of parson always is, by everybody): This is stale
matter. We went over all that ground yesterday, and agreed to take the
modern trout as he is, and make the best of him. Call it education or
what you like, trout-fishing is not what it was.

The GENERAL (grunting): And never will be. I say it all comes from
your overstocking and returning hooked fish to the water. You are all
too particular by half, and are eaten up with new-fangled notions.

R. O.: If we fail, it is not, at any rate, for want of preparations,
precautions, and theories. Here, Georgy, get up, and arm yourself in
regular order.

GEORGY (a stout, elderly stockbroker, supposed to be like the lamented
George IV, rising with a laugh, and leisurely filling his pipe): Begad!
what am I the worse for my paraphernalia? The General there and all of
you, i' faith, are very glad to make use of my little odds and ends.

The GENERAL (contemptuously): When I was a young man we never bothered
ourselves very often with so much as a landing-net. Now you are laden
with stuff like a pack mule. Look at Georgy's priest dangling from one
button, his oil-bottle from another, his weighing machin