this is. Life bulges with these tragedies.'

Mike picked up the evening paper.

'Don't let it keep you awake at night,' he said. 'By the way, did you
see that Manchester United were playing this afternoon? They won. You'd
better sit down and sweat up some of the details. You'll want them
tomorrow.'

'You are very right, Comrade Jackson,' said Psmith, reseating himself.
'So the Mancunians pushed the bulb into the meshes beyond the uprights
no fewer than four times, did they? Bless the dear boys, what spirits
they do enjoy, to be sure. Comrade Jackson, do not disturb me. I must
concentrate myself. These are deep waters.'




12. In a Nutshell


Mr Bickersdyke sat in his private room at the New Asiatic Bank with a
pile of newspapers before him. At least, the casual observer would have
said that it was Mr Bickersdyke. In reality, however, it was an active
volcano in the shape and clothes of the bank-manager. It was freely
admitted in the office that morning that the manager had lowered all
records with ease. The staff had known him to be in a bad temper
before--frequently; but his frame of mind on all previous occasions had
been, compared with his present frame of mind, that of a rather
exceptionally good-natured lamb. Within ten minutes of his arrival the