'Excellent,' said Mr Waller. 'I will go and tell him now.'




15. Stirring Times on the Common


'The first thing to do,' said Psmith, 'is to ascertain that such a
place as Clapham Common really exists. One has heard of it, of course,
but has its existence ever been proved? I think not. Having
accomplished that, we must then try to find out how to get to it. I
should say at a venture that it would necessitate a sea-voyage. On the
other hand, Comrade Waller, who is a native of the spot, seems to find
no difficulty in rolling to the office every morning. Therefore--you
follow me, Jackson?--it must be in England. In that case, we will take
a taximeter cab, and go out into the unknown, hand in hand, trusting to
luck.'

'I expect you could get there by tram,' said Mike.

Psmith suppressed a slight shudder.

'I fear, Comrade Jackson,' he said, 'that the old noblesse oblige
traditions of the Psmiths would not allow me to do that. No. We will
stroll gently, after a light lunch, to Trafalgar Square, and hail a
taxi.'

'Beastly expensive.'