nfirm his opinions!

"Don't you ever feel that it's all petty and limited?" Martin
continued. "Living in London, I mean, and never seeing the world and
how it's run and the different tastes of men and the tendencies and
forces? I want to get into the middle of it and, if I've got to do
Government work, then I don't mind doing that. It isn't merely
negative, like most of a barrister's work."

Eternal honesty and reliability of man with man! A woman would have
caught his anxious tones and given him sympathy and confirmation at the
expense of belying her convictions. Rendell merely said what he felt
and later Martin was glad of it.

"If that is the case," Rendell answered quietly, "you're plainly the
man for the job. It isn't often that the Empire gets an intelligent
person who cares about his work."

"I believe I'll like it when I'm there," Martin added. "Of course I
know there will be gaps and times of despair. But I feel that I have
had my seven fat years and it's up to me to face seven lean ones. Then
fatness ought to come again."

"Which, being interpreted," said Lawrence, "means seven years or so in
the wilderness and then better jobs and a big screw and no end of a
career."

"I won't be as detailed as that. But as I've got to eat the pie I
shall dig about for the plums. What do you think, Rendell, K.C., M.P.?"

"I agree."

"And you, Lord Mayor?"

"I have every intention of making at least five thousand a year. My
god, yes. If I go into that city I'll damned well fetch something out."

"Anyhow," said Martin after a pause, "we have had years of plenty. It
was all good, the Push and digs and everything."

Rendell agreed. "It couldn't have been managed much better," he said.
"We had some capital times."

Lawrence yawned vastly. "You emotional lads," he said, "will soon be
calling the Old School Ithaca and talking about 'stern nurses of men'
and 'dreaming spires.' I can't allow it. Let's walk."

They rose and went up silently into the hills like men who understand
about walking.

THE END

THE RIVERSIDE PRESS LIMITED, EDINBURGH

SINISTER

STREET

_By Compton Mackenzie_

_In Two Volumes. Crown 8vo Containing_

_in all 1152 pages. Price Six Shillings each_

CONTENTS OF VOLUME ONE

_Book One: The Prison House_

I. THE NEW WORLD
II. BITTERSWEET
III. FEARS AND FANTASIES
IV. UNENDING CHILDHOOD
V. THE FIRST FAIRY PRIN