Read Books Online, for Free |
The Man Who Knew Too Much | Gilbert K. Chesterton | |
V. The Fad Of The Fisherman |
Page 5 of 13 |
"I sometimes think," said Harker, "that you conceal a horrid secret of being useful sometimes. Haven't you come down here to see Number One before he goes on to Birmingham?" Horne Fisher answered, in a lower voice: "Yes; and I hope to be lucky enough to catch him before dinner. He's got to see Sir Isaac about something just afterward." "Hullo!" exclaimed Harker. "Sir Isaac's finished his fishing. I know he prides himself on getting up at sunrise and going in at sunset." The old man on the island had indeed risen to his feet, facing round and showing a bush of gray beard with rather small, sunken features, but fierce eyebrows and keen, choleric eyes. Carefully carrying his fishing tackle, he was already making his way back to the mainland across a bridge of flat stepping-stones a little way down the shallow stream; then he veered round, coming toward his guests and civilly saluting them. There were several fish in his basket and he was in a good temper. "Yes," he said, acknowledging Fisher's polite expression of surprise, "I get up before anybody else in the house, I think. The early bird catches the worm." "Unfortunately," said Harker, "it is the early fish that catches the worm." "But the early man catches the fish," replied the old man, gruffly. "But from what I hear, Sir Isaac, you are the late man, too," interposed Fisher. "You must do with very little sleep." "I never had much time for sleeping," answered Hook, "and I shall have to be the late man to-night, anyhow. The Prime Minister wants to have a talk, he tells me, and, all things considered, I think we'd better be dressing for dinner." |
Who's On Your Reading List? Read Classic Books Online for Free at Page by Page Books.TM |
The Man Who Knew Too Much Gilbert K. Chesterton |
Home | More Books | About Us | Copyright 2004