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Page:Caine - An Angler at Large (1911).djvu/297

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OF PURFLING AGAIN
279

Ven: Nay, I will angle for these sprats no longer; there is no hooking them. I will e'en go try for the big fellow, for I do believe that I can reach him. Ay, he is still at work. Marry, by his rise he is a trout indeed. So, another cast and I cover him.

Pisc: Why, most naughty scholar, do I find you so heedless of my counsels?

Ven: My loving master, are you back already?

Pisc: Ay, our worthy keeper, Corydon, hath furnished me out with these coarse, rough small-clothes. I would they fitted me less straitly, but beggars may not be choosers, eh, honest Corydon?

Cor: Why, zur, there wasn' no more'n they two pay-er fer 'ee to chuse amongst; but 'ee did zurely chuse the best.

Pisc: There is a penny for you.

Cor: Thank 'ee, zur.

Pisc: Spend it wisely; let us not find you bemused with liquor this evening, when we come to leave the water. And now we do not need an attendant, so go your ways, for I mean to catch yonder trout for this gentleman's supper. Come, scholar, give place, and you shall soon see him at closer quarters.

Ven: Dear master, I have but this moment got his length.