‘I am aware that it is what is termed a long shot, sir. Still, I thought it judicious.’
‘You backed her for a place, too, of course?’
‘Yes, sir. Each way.’
‘Well, I suppose it’s all right. I’ve never known you make a bloomer yet.’
‘Thank you very much, sir.’
I ’m bound to say that, as a general rule, my idea of a large afternoon would be to keep as far away from a village school treat as possible. A sticky business. But with such grave issues toward, if you know what I mean, I sank my prejudices on this occasion and rolled up. I found the proceedings about as scaly as I had expected. It was a warm day, and the hall grounds were a dense, practically liquid mass of peasantry. Kids seethed to and fro. One of them, a small girl of sorts, grabbed my hand and hung on to it as I clove my way
