Evening star., 1938-12-20
Go Fishing To Think.

On their way to Battling they took
day off for a rest. because Chit
ian knew of little lake where there
was some one who would lend them
an old punt. And they would bor-
row rod and line and fish.
Fish for what?" asked Rud.
Just fishing" said Chiffan.
Think of all we've got to turn
over in our minds"
1t was a very pleasant day indeed,
much sunshine and a glowing still
ness upon the lake and upon its
great trees. Chiffan's friend was a
gamekeeper by profession and a So
cialst by resentment and convic-
ton. He cooked them a mighty
meal of rabbit and onions. They
had small beer departing from
their normal austerity) and cheese,
and he relieved himself of much
long suppressed radical opinion
and gave them a shakedown in a
) little house with a fire. And while
he was busy about his work Chiffan
did his fishing.
Rud did not even attempt to fish
Chiffan caught nothing, and for the
most part they padded about the
lake, pulled yellow and white water
lilies out of sheer acquisitiveness,
or sprawled in the punt and medi-
tated under a great yellowing horse
chestnut that overhung the water,
= and occasionally plopped a conker
through its CLASSY surface. Chiffan
wasn't inclined for talk, and Rud,
too, had a feeling that the bulk
OF their talking was done. They
understood one another. And in
his relaxed state Chiffan reflected
upon women.
THAT girl" he said.
what about her?" asked Rud
"That Lancashire girl you mean?"
Il could have had her." said
'Chiffan.
"Well?"
IT didn't. I didn't want her
enough"
"Well?"
"And now do
"She was a bore. And yet there
was something about her I
think 1t was her neck attracted me-
There was something attractive
about her neck. Damn! I wish I
either wanted woman or didn't
can't get her out of my head
Maybe it's the sunshine or that
rabbit. And I made fool of myself
with that other because she piqued
me :. =. You're lucky not to be
bothered by these things"
Rud, who was lying on his back
In the punt, said nothing, but he
made Chiffan feel his disapproval
by wagging his foot as an impatient
cat waves its tail.
Leave for Battling.
The next day the purposeful life
was resumed. and they went on to
study the industrial troubles of
Battling. And hardly had they come
into the dingy. winding streets of
that town before they found a
shop-front bright with the an
nouncements of a brand-new po-
ntical party, the League of Free
Democrats; Leader, Jim Flab. Most
Of the window was adorned with
copies of a handbill asking and
answering the very natural ques-
ton, "Who is Jim Flab?" above the
portrait of q cadaverous man of
IS or 40 with a skew chin, forced
glare in his eyes and a crooked
mouth featuring an extremity of
resolution to the very best of its
ability.
"He is the Leader of the League
Of Free Democrats" said the hand
bill, 'Consecrated to the Salvation
Of this Our England, P. T. O."
The handbill was printed on both
sides, and each side was exposed
alternately in the window. The re-
verse contained much further in
formation, which Chiffan devoured,
with that exalted pallor on his face
which stood him in the stead of
laughter. "Come and read it, Rud,"
he said.
Bud joined him. He found some
thing unpleasantly like a burlesque
Of his own dreams in Mr.. Jim Flab's
proposals, but Chiffan did not seem
to observe that. Mr.. Flab, it seemed,
had had an eventful, noble and in