My favourite place for reading was the loft behind
the yard.
He had a sly, vicious way oftalking:Ere, George! At
roll-call orders were topack all kits and be ready to march in twenty
minutes.
Donovan went on a new journey every week, and he
always madegood. By this time it was evening and getting on towardsdark. It was no
use trying forthose colossal brutes with the tackle I had. Most of the things I used
to care for would leave mesomething more than cold. Finally we made her understand
and got a needle from her. One chap had some darning needles, but they were too
thick and hadblunt ends.
That and telling the kids, No, they cant have a new
sandbucket.
He made gestures which were supposed to represent
sewing.
I cured myself of dropping aitchesand got rid of
most of my Cockney accent.
He ate his way solemnly through his tea anddidnt
talk much. I dont exaggerate when I say it wasenormous. I knew Iwasnt going to
remain a grocers assistant for ever, I was merelylearning the trade.
We didnt have any tools except jack-knives, and we
burned our fingers badly.
I was the errand boy for my first six months. I
havent such detailedmemories of grocering as I have of fishing, but I remember a
gooddeal. He couldnt understandwhat was happening to him. Wed got the essentials
now, but we could do with some gut.
A winter day, just warm enough to lie
still.
Lorna sidled up to me and asked inthat silly pert
way she has, Are you a baby, Daddy? Surgical gut wasnt part of his equipment, butit
was just possible that he might have some.
Mother, you heard what I got to say lastnight.
Andyet, in the two years or so that I went fishing there, how manytimes did I really
go, I wonder?
We might stay there a week, we might marchoff in
two hours.