Love Among the Chickens

eaning volume, omits too many of England's greatest men. It is

ld, Salop; author. Publications: 'The Outsider,' 'The Manoeuvres o

ould make really interesting reading, you find no mention of him. It seems unfair, though I imagine Ukridge b

d into the room, clinging on to the pince-nez which even g

g my hand in the grip like the bite of a horse. "How are

the door an

ooking just the same as ever. Devilish handsome fellow! You'

Ukridge a young woman. She paused i

! The pride of the home. Companion of joys and sorrows and all

idge married was something too ove

manner of Genius or due to alcohol, and hoping for the best. He also used it to perfect strangers in the streets, and on one occasion had been heard to address a bishop by that title, rendering that dignitary, as Mr. Baboo Jaberjee would put it, sotto voce with gratification. "Surprised to find me married, what? Garny, old boy,"-sinking his voice to a whisper almost inaudible on the oth

fore the echoes of his last remark had ceased to sh

the armchair, looking very small and quiet. I was conscious of feeling a benevolent pity for her. If I had been a girl, I would have preferred to marry a volcano. A little of Ukridge, as his former h

years. We were master

ed forward with r

w nice!" she sa

her voice, had she found any disadvantages attached

fully versatil

he could do

e a jolly

s?" asked Mrs. Ukridge,

She looked

nley, of course, can turn his hand to anything; but I

. Bu

alled 'Fowls and All About Them,

A.C

it's all rather hard to understand. You see, we ... b

the room after another energetic passage of the st

speak, buzzing

your last book

ratified. "How d

d in one way and another there was a certain amount of unpleasantness. Still, it seemed bright and interesting up to page three. But let's settle down and

wiped them, re-adjusted the ginger-beer wire behind his ears, and, having hit a brown patch on t

ut f

It showed a curious tendency to creep in

t. I was saying to my wife, as we came here, 'Garnet's the

, de

impressively, "we are

rther on to the table

mind. Listen to me! When I said that we were going to keep fowls, I didn't mean in a small, piffling sort of way-two cocks an

kridge with an affectionate and

y responsibilities as c

s, eggs, and the money streaming in faster than you can bank it. Winter and summer underclothing, my bonny boy,

e h

my calculations clearer. Very well, then. Harrie

ou get

approvingly to his attentive wife. "Notice the way he keeps r

just go

week. You sell the eggs, six for half a crown. Keep of hen costs nothing. Pr

overhaul the figure

Well, then, you let this hen-this first, original hen, this on-tick-hen-you let it set and hatch chickens. Now follow me closely. Suppose you have a dozen hens. Very well, then. When each of the dozen has a dozen chickens, you send the old hens back to the chappies you borrowed them fr

, de

ust the place for a chicken farm. A friend of Millie's-girl she knew at school-has lent us a topping old house, with large grou

I wish you luck. Mind you

idge. "Why, my dear old ho

I said

e shall take no refus

, d

any sort. Pack up to-night and

lly good o

f this sort is a touch of the dreamer to help out the practical mind. We look to you for suggestions, laddie. Flashes of inspiration and all that sort of thing. Of course, you take your share of the profits. That's understood. Yes, yes, I must insist. Strict business between friends. Now, taking it that, at a conservative estimate, the net profits for the first fiscal year amou

, de

ned triumph

ing for hens. That's the way to

nswered, Stanley, dear

point is that the letters were written. It shows we are solid and practic

efused that invitation, I would not have-at any rate, I would have missed a remarkable experien

ewhere where I could get som

row a brick without hitting an amateur champion. Grand links at the top of the hill not half a mile from th

d as regards fowls. I just know enough to help my

that. That novel of yours showed the most extraordinary intelligence-at least as far as that blighter at the bookstall would let me read. I wouldn't have a profession

slowly. "It's very k

catch the eleven-twenty at Waterloo. Don't miss it. Look o