I have seen longer driving, but nothing equalling it in accuracy or consistency.
"It is very much better than I had expectation of doing," said Wallace. "That is a well-balanced club of yours, Mr. Smith, but a bit too short and whippy for me."
He good-naturedly consented to try lofting and approaching shots. On the start he was a little unsteady, due probably to lack of familiarity with my clubs, which are made to conform with some of my pet hobbies. After a few minutes' practise he got the hang of them and did really brilliant work.
With a mashie at one hundred and twenty yards he dropped ball after ball within a short distance of a stake which served to indicate a cup. He picked them clean from the turf, lofting them with that back-spin which causes them to drop almost dead. It was the golf I have always claimed to be within the range of possibility, but I never hoped to see it executed. Even Bishop was impressed with the skill displayed by his employee, and as the balls soared true from his club, like quoits from the hand of a sturdy expert, the farmer grinned his appreciation.
"I don't know much about this here game, Jack," he said, as Wallace rejoined us, "but it looks to me as if this man of mine has you Woodvale fellows skinned a mile. Tell you what I'll do! I'll back him for ten dollars against any man you've got."
"I am not eligible to play in Woodvale," observed Wallace, a peculiar smile hovering on his lips, "so it is useless to discuss that."
"You shall play as my guest," declared Miss Lawrence. "I have a perfect right to—"
"I should be glad to extend that courtesy to Mr. Wallace at any time," I interrupted, fearing that she might say something which would be misconstrued.
"I thank both of you, but it is out of the question," said Wallace with quiet dignity, and Miss Harding with her usual tact changed the topic by asking Wallace to illustrate a certain point relating to the short approach shot.
On our way back to the auto I walked with Mr. Bishop, and of a sudden a thought occurred to me.