I was moved to laughter at myself and fate.
But the captain and the men did not laugh. The men scowled at me and
rubbed their sore and blistered hands, and set themselves to row....
As all the world knows we were picked up by the Union Castle liner,
Portland Castle.
The hairdresser aboard was a wonderful man, and he even improvised me a
dress suit, and produced a clean shirt and warm underclothing. I had a
hot bath, and dressed and dined and drank a bottle of Burgundy.
"Now," I said, "are there any newspapers? I want to know what's been
happening in the world."
My steward gave me what he had, but I landed at Plymouth still largely
ignorant of the course of events. I shook off Pollack, and left the
captain and mate in an hotel, and the men in a Sailor's Home until I
could send to pay them off, and I made my way to the station.
The newspapers I bought, the placards I saw, all England indeed
resounded to my uncle's bankruptcy.
BOOK THE FOURTH
THE AFTERMATH OF TONO-BUNGAY
CHAPTER THE FIRST
THE STICK OF THE ROCKET
I
That evening I talked with my uncle in the Hardingham for the last time.
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