him you did it."

"Go as far as you like," says I. "Anything else, Sir?"

"Yes," says he. "Provide me with a temporary occupation."

"Come again," says I.

"I want something to do," says he. "Here I've been shut up in this
confounded house for four mortal days! I can't read, can't eat, can't
sleep. I just prowl around like a bear with a sore ear. I want
something that will make me forget what a wretched, futile old fool I
am. Do you know of anything that will fill the bill?"

"No, sir," says I.

"Then think," says he. "Come, where is that quick-firing, automatic
intellect of yours? Think, Boy! What would you do if you were shut up
like this?"

"Why," says I, "I--I might dig up some kind of games, I guess."

"Games!" says he. "That's worth considering. Well, here's some money.
Go get 'em."

"But what kind, Sir?" says I.

"How the slithering Sisyphus should I know what kind?" he snaps.
"Whose idea is this, anyway? You suggested games. Go get 'em, I tell
you! I'll give you half an hour, while I'm looking over this stuff