Uncle, why do they call it
_tent_-pegging?
_The Uncle_. Why? Well, because those pegs are what they fasten down
tents with.
_The Child_. But why isn't there a tent now?
_Uncle_. Because there's no use for one.
_Child_. Why?
_Uncle_. Because all they want to do is to pick up the peg with the
point of their lance.
_Child_. Yes, but why _should_ they want to do it?
_Uncle_. Oh, to amuse their horses. (_The Child ponders upon this
answer with a view to a fresh catechism upon the equine passion for
entertainment, and the desirability, or otherwise, of gratifying it_.)
_A Chatty Man in the Promenade_ (_to his Neighbour_). Takes a deal of
practice to strike them pegs fair and full.
_His Neighbour_ (_who holds advanced Socialistic opinions_). Ah,
I dessay--and a pity they can't make no better use o' their time!
Spoiling good wood, _I_ call it. I don't see no point in it myself.
_The Chatty Man_. Well, it shows they can _ride_, at any rate.
_The Socialist_. Ride? O' course they can _ride_--we pay enough for
'aving 'em taught, don't we? But you mark my words, the People won't
put up with this state of things much longer--keepin' a set of 'ired
murderers in luxury and hidleness. I tell yer, wherever I come across
one of these great lanky louts strutting about in his red coat, as if
he was one of the lords of the hearth, well--it makes my nose bleed,
ah--it _does_!
_The Chatty Man_.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28