'What a big painted clucking fool is a pheasant!' he said. 'Just like some Romans.'

'But you're a Roman yourself, aren't you?' said Una.

'Ye-es and no. I'm one of a good few thousands who have never seen Rome except in a picture.


'You put the bullet into that loop.'


My people have lived at Vectis for generations. Vectis—that island West yonder that you can see from so far in clear weather.'