Ian Hay

“ However, nerves usually vanish when the time for action comes. At this moment the crew swung past him on their way to the starting-post, sitting their boat nicely and evoking a patriotic and well-merited cheer from the Ripleigh spectators. Cradock politely elbowed his way to the edge of the stream for a better view. At his feet, moored to the towpath, lay a punt. ”

“ Perhaps you can help me.’ Mr. Moon flinched again. ‘What do you do for a living now?’
‘Well, Lizzie is running a Dancing Academy, in Maida Vale.’
‘Lizzie?’
‘Yes, sir; my wife.’
‘The lady in the punt—the elder lady?’
‘Yes, sir. She had a hard time when I was abroad, and she’s none too strong now. ’Er valves—’
‘Go and fetch her.’
Mr. Moon shambled away, and Cradock, having lit a cigarette, devoted the ensuing three minutes to reflection. His resourceful imagination had already included the Moon ménage in the cast of a little drama which he proposed shortly to stage in Ripleigh. ”

“ Cradock shook hands affably.
‘You got home from America all right?’ he inquired.
‘Yes, sir. Not for a bit, though. I had to keep on moving round the country for more than a year after I left you, on account of what they called the Selective Draft. ”