DORNFORD YATES
Reading edition
WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED
LONDON AND MELBOURNE
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY PURNELL AND SONS PAULTON (SOMERSET) AND LONDON
Dear Valerie,
When a writer admits that he has an affection for something which he has written, it is high time to pray for his soul. Yet I make bold to confess that there are in this book some passages which I hold dear—a seeming vanity, which must be explained.
Many times you have found me at work upon these chapters. Often you have taken ill-written pages of manuscript from my table and, sitting down in a chair, deciphered them for what they were worth. Once or twice, whilst you read, you have fallen into silvery laughter.
Do you wonder that I treasure the sentences which drew forth such music?
This is my dedication.
As many as see you are glad of the sight. All who know you are proud of the honour. But the man whose efforts your mirth has commended is the proudest and happiest of the lot.
Need I say that your name is not Valerie? I think not. You will know whom I mean.
Most faithfully yours,
Dornford Yates.
Pau, November, 1920.
CONTENTS
I How Will Noggin was Fooled, and Berry Rode Forth against his Will
II How Daphne Wrote for Assistance, and Mr. Holly was Outbid
III How a Man may Follow his own Hat, and Berry took a Lamp in his Hand
IV How Nobby came to Sleep upon my Bed, and Berry fell among Thieves
V How Jill's Education was Improved, and Daphne gave her Husband the Slip
VI How Nobby Attended a Wedding, and Berry Spoke Nothing but the Truth
VII How Jonah Obeyed his Orders, and Daphne and Katharine Festival Backed The same Horse
VIII How Jill Slept Undisturbed, and Nobby Attended Church Parade
IX How Adèle Feste Arrived, and Mr. Dunkelsbaum Supped with the Devil
X How Adèle Broke her Dream, and Vandy Pleydell Took Exercise
XI How Nobby Met Blue Bandala, and Adèle Gave Jonah A Kiss