Мор - ученик смерти

           Thereisadifference;anglingismoreexpensive.ButTerpsicwashappy.Hewaswatchingafeatheronacorkbobgentlyonthegentle,reed-linedwatersoftheHakrullriverandhismindwasverynearlyablank.Theonlythingthatcouldhavedisturbedhismoodwasactuallycatchingafish,becausecatchingfishwastheonethingaboutanglingthathereallydreaded.Theywerecoldandslimyandpanickyandgotonhisnerves,andTerpsic’snervesweren’tverygood.

           SolongashecaughtnothingTerpsicMimswasoneoftheDisc’shappiestanglers,becausetheHakrullriverwasfivemilesfromhishomeandthereforefivemilesfromMrsGwladysMims,withwhomhehadenjoyedsixhappymonthsofmarriedlife.Thathadbeensometwentyyearspreviously.

           Terpsicdidnotpayundueheedwhenanotheranglertookupstationfurtheralongthebank.Ofcourse,somefishermenmighthaveobjectedtothisbreachofetiquette,butinTerpsic’sbookanythingthatreducedhischanceofactuallycatchinganyofthedamnedthingswasallrightbyhim.Outofthecornerofhiseyehenotedthatthenewcomerwasfly-fishing,aninterestingpastimewhichTerpsichadrejectedbecauseonespentaltogetherfartoomuchtimeathomemakingtheequipment.

           Hehadneverseenfly-fishinglikethisbefore.Therewerewetflies,andthereweredryflies,butthisflyauguredintothewaterwithasaw-toothedwhineanddraggedthefishoutbackwards.

           Terpsicwatchedinhorrifiedfascinationastheindistinctfigurebehindthewillowtreescastandcastagain.