— VII —SAFE NO. 226
During the next few days, in his own fashion, Mr. Smithers seemed to enjoy himself. He and his landlady’s daughter bade fair to become close friends. The gentleman had leisure; the lady’s household duties did not occupy all her time; it was not unnatural that they should have been occasionally in each other’s society – especially as it appeared that they had so many tastes in common. He liked rowing; she liked being rowed; and though the river at Putney is not an oarsman’s paradise, as something on which to float a boat they seemed to find it better than nothing at all. Then they both were fond of walking. And it is impossible to deny that walking is good exercise, and that the neighbourhood of Putney offers some agreeable opportunities of proving it. There is Wimbledo
