vividly. I see him positively glistening from the effects of soap
and water. I see his clear blue eye; his fair crisp locks, the
natural curliness of which annoys him personally, though alluring to
everybody else; his frank winning smile. He is "lately home from
college." That tells me that he is a first-class cricketer; a first-
class oar; that as a half-back he is incomparable; that he swims like
Captain Webb; is in the first rank of tennis players; that his half-
volley at ping-pong has never been stopped. It doesn't tell me much
about his brain power. The description of him as a "typical young
Englishman" suggests more information on this particular point. One
assumes that the American girl with the elusive expression is going
to have sufficient for both.

"They are a delightful family." The sub-editor does not say so, but
I imagine the two sisters are likewise typical young Englishwomen.
They ride and shoot and cook and make their own dresses, have common
sense and love a joke.

The third chapter is "taken up with the humours of a local cricket
match."

Thank you, Mr. Sub-editor. I feel I owe you gratitude.

In the fourth, Ursula Bart (I was beginning to get anxious about her)
turns up again. She is staying at the useful Lady Mary's place in
Yorkshire. She meets Basil by accident one morning while riding
alone. That is the advantage of having an American girl for your
heroine. Like the British army: it goes anywhere and does anything.

In chapter five Basil and Ursula meet again; this time at a picnic.