Chapter 9

           WemadeGeorgework,nowwehadgothim. Hedidnotwanttowork,ofcourse;thatgoeswithoutsaying. HehadhadahardtimeintheCity,soheexplained. Harris,whoiscallousinhisnature,andnotpronetopity,said: 

           "Ah!andnowyouaregoingtohaveahardtimeontheriverforachange; changeisgoodforeveryone. Outyouget!" 

           Hecouldnotinconscience—notevenGeorge’sconscience—object,thoughhedidsuggestthat,perhaps,itwouldbebetterforhimtostopintheboat,andgetteaready,whileHarrisandItowed,becausegettingteawassuchaworryingwork,andHarrisandIlookedtired. Theonlyreplywemadetothis,however,wastopasshimoverthetow-line,andhetookit,andsteppedout. 

           Thereissomethingverystrangeandunaccountableaboutatow-line. Yourollitupwithasmuchpatienceandcareasyouwouldtaketofoldupanewpairoftrousers,andfiveminutesafterwards,whenyoupickitup,itisoneghastly,soul-revoltingtangle. 

           Idonotwishtobeinsulting,butIfirmlybelievethatifyoutookanaveragetow-line,andstretcheditoutstraightacrossthemiddleofafield,andthenturnedyourbackonitforthirtyseconds,that,whenyoulookedroundagain,youwouldfindthatithadgotitselfaltogetherinaheapinthemiddleofthefield,andhadtwisteditselfup,andtieditselfintoknots,andlostitstwoends,andbecomeallloops; anditwouldtakeyouagoodhalf-hour,sittingdownthereonthegrassandswearingallthewhile,todisentangleitagain.