\"Asnakegotintoyourhen-runyesterdaymorningandkilledsixoutofsevenpullets，firstmesmerisingthemwithitseyesandthenbitingthemastheystoodhelpless。TheseventhpulletwasoneofthatFrenchsort，withfeathersalloveritseyes，soitescapedthemesmericsnare，andjustflewatwhatitcouldseeofthesnakeandpeckedittopieces。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidBlenkinthropestiffly；\"it\'saverycleverinvention。Ifsuchathinghadreallyhappenedinmypoultry-runIadmitIshouldhavebeenproudandinterestedtotellpeopleaboutit。ButI\'drathersticktofact，evenifitisplainfact。\"AllthesamehisminddweltwistfullyonthestoryoftheSeventhPullet。Hecouldpicturehimselftellingitinthetrainamidtheabsorbedinterestofhisfellow-passengers。
Unconsciouslyallsortsoflittledetailsandimprovementsbegantosuggestthemselves。
Wistfulnesswasstillhisdominantmoodwhenhetookhisseatintherailwaycarriagethenextmorning。
OppositehimsatStevenham，whohadattainedtoarecognisedbrevetofimportancethroughthefactofanunclehavingdroppeddeadintheactofvotingataParliamentaryelection。Thathadhappenedthreeyearsago，butStevenhamwasstilldeferredtoonallquestionsofhomeandforeignpolitics。