I'm sure I forgot myself. If you will let me, I'll get up, and get you a couple of bait from the stew. You'll do us keepers a kindness, and prevent sin, sir, if you'll catch him. The squire will swear sadly—the Lord forgive him—if he hears of a pike in the trout-runs. I'll get up, if I may trouble you to go into the next room a minute.'
'Lie still, for Heaven's sake. Why bother your head about pike now?'
'It is my business, sir, and I am paid for it, and I must do it throughly;—and abide in the calling wherein I am called,' he added, in a sadder tone.
'You seem to be fond enough of it, and to know enough about it, at all events,' said the colonel, 'tying flies here on a sick-bed.'
'As for being fond of it, sir—those creatures of the water teach a man many lessons; and when I tie flies, I earn books.'
'How then?'
'I send my flies all over the county, sir, to Salisbury and Hungerford, and up to Winchester, even; and the money buys me many a wise book—all my delight is in reading; perhaps so much the worse for me.'
'So much the better, say,' answered Lancelot, warmly. 'I'll give you an order for a couple of pounds' worth of flies at once.'
'The Lord reward you, sir,' answered the giant.
'And you shall make me the same quantity,' said the colonel. 'You can make salmon-flies?'
