Page:Adams - A Child of the Age.djvu/103

91 should be out of England in under a month—you follow me? '

'I think so.'

'Good. Now tell me. Can you shoot? No. Ride? No. Um! You are strongly made. Where were you at school?' 'At Glastonbury.'

'Ah, so was I! With Craven, I suppose?' 'Yes, sir.'

'Did you go in for sports—much?'

'I was in the first football fifteen, and rowed in my house-boat.'

'School House?'

'Yes.'

' So did I. It was head of the river in my year.'

'And in mine too.'

'—Tell me something about yourself.'

I paused for a moment. Then I said:

'I have been at Glastonbury five years. My father, who is dead, had placed all his fortune in the Southern Bank. My guardian called me up to London about three weeks ago, to inform me of this. I determined then to try to make my livelihood by my pen, and … failed. That is, shortly, why I am here.'

'Tried to make your livelihood by your pen, and failed? Did not your guardian help you } How did you' 'I angered my guardian by refusing to try for a clerkship. I thought that I had something here' (Lifting my finger.) '"Quelque chose là"—Yes. Well.' 'I wrote two poems, which I sent to a publisher, hoping' 'Why all, or nearly all, poetry has to be paid for now-a-days, my poor boy.—Of course they sent it back again?'

'They did.'

'Well? And may I ask how you lived in the interim? You had funds?'

'I sold my greatcoat.'

'Excuse me. I am not asking from mere curiosity. … Would you care to tell me more? I will' (looking