a.

"Seven," said I. "Not seven into the sea, you know. Seven strokes.
You've only hit three into the sea altogether."

"Isn't he clever with his sums? Here, give me another ball. Where's
Henry?"

I handed him the last-named--a favourite cleek. The caddie had gone to
collect the flotsam.

"Now then. Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind permission I shall now
proceed to beat the sphere into the sky."

It was a tremendous shot, and we could see that it must have reached
the green; but when we came up and found the ball in the hole nobody
was more surprised than Berry. Of course, he didn't show it. Berry
doesn't give things away.

"Ah!" he said pleasantly. "That's better. I'm beginning to get used
to playing with one eye. You know, all the time I--er--seem to see two
balls."

"Nonsense," said Daphne.

"If you said you'd been seeing two holes all day, I could believe it,"
said Jonah. "Anyone might think so from the way you've been playing."

Berry smiled ecstatically. "My recent--er--chef d'oeuvre--(note the
Parisian accent)--has ipso facto--(Latin of the Augustan Age)--placed
me beyond the pricks of criticism. The venom, brother, which you would
squirt upon me, bespatters but yourself. Boy, place me the globe upon
yon pinnacle of sand. So. Now indicate to me the distant pin. Thank
you. Do I see it? No. Natheless (obsolete, but pure), I say nameless
it beckons me. And now give me--yes, give me Douglas."

The caddie handed him a brassie. He had caddied for Berry before.

"Don't breathe for a moment, anyone," said Daphne.

Her husband frowned and silently sliced into the sea.

"How many balls did you see that time?" said Jonah.

"Three," said I. "That's why he's going to pawn his clubs."

"The aftermath of gluttony." I spoke disgustedly. It was after
luncheon, and Daphne was already asleep. Jill and Jonah drooped
comfortably in huge chairs. Berry sprawled upon a sofa.

"I suppose we outrage what you call your sense of decency." murmured
the latter.

"You do. Incidentally, you also irritate me, because I shall have to
go round alone."

"Friend, your foul egoism leaves me unmoved. Go forth and harry your
balls. I am about to slumber like a little child. Do you think I
shall dream, brother?"

"Probably," said I. "About fried fish shops."

Jill shuddered in her chair, and Berry sat up.

"After that most offensive allusion," he said pompously, "I have no
option but to