'The study of League football,' said Psmith, 'has been my relaxation
for years.'

'But we have no time to discuss it now.'

'Assuredly not, sir. Work before everything.'

'Some other time, when--'

'--We are less busy. Precisely.'

Psmith moved back to his seat.

'I fear,' he said to Mike, as he resumed work, 'that as far as Comrade
Rossiter's friendship and esteem are concerned, I have to a certain
extent landed Comrade Bannister in the bouillon; but it was in a good
cause. I fancy we have won through. Half an hour's thoughtful perusal
of the "Footballers' Who's Who", just to find out some elementary facts
about Manchester United, and I rather think the friendly Native is
corralled. And now once more to work. Work, the hobby of the hustler
and the deadbeat's dread.'




9. The Haunting of Mr Bickersdyke


Anything in the nature of a rash and hasty move was wholly foreign to
Psmith's tactics. He had the patience which is the chief quality of the