[25] Keepers: gamekeepers employed on all great estates to protect the game and fish. In England, game and fish, except in navigable waters, are the private property of the land-owners.
[26] Tackle-maker: one who makes fishing-tackle.
[27] Velveteens: alluding to the keeper's velveteen suit.
[28] Beggars: here, wonderful chaps.
[29] Likely: suitable; convenient.
[30] Lotus-eaters: the lotus was a plant fabled by the ancients to make strangers who ate of it forget their native land and lead a dreamy, happy, careless life. See Homer's Odyssey, IX., and Tennyson's poem, "The Lotus-eaters."
[31] Ephemeræ: Insects which live a very short time; literally, but a day.
[32] Hot-foot: with all haste.
[33] Gee: give.
[34] Black: a nickname.