“We must accept the inevitable, little un.”
“There isn’t any inevitable when you’re my age, Joe. One always used to feel on a bad day that sooner or later the fish would begin to bite.”
“Yes, but we used to change to another place.”
“Sometimes. Well, let’s change to another place, then. But it would be a pity. We’ve got never-failing water here, and even if the lions and baboons do come sometimes, it’s a capital place. I say, Joe, have another try.”
“You’ve quite changed your tune, old fellow,” said Emson mournfully. “Do you remember?”
“Why, of course. What fellow doesn’t remember what a donkey he has been? I’ve often thought of it while you were ill, Joe, and of what a nuisance I must have been while you were so patient. And I said to myself— There, never mind that—I say, Joe, do you really mean for us to go back beaten?”
“Yes.”
“Not have one more try!”
“No: I am too much broken down.”
“But I’m not. I’m getting full of pluck and work now, and I’ll do anything to keep things going till you come round.”