Down on the new bowling-green behind the club-house some sort of competition was in progress. The seats about the smooth strip of turf were crowded, and the weak-minded yapping of the patients made itself plainly audible to the Oldest Member as he sat in his favourite chair in the smoking-room. He shifted restlessly, and a frown marred the placidity of his venerable brow. To the Oldest Member a golf-club was a golf-club, and he resented the introduction of any alien element. He had opposed the institution of tennis-courts; and the suggestion of a bowling-green had stirred him to his depths. A young man in spectacles came into the smoking-room. His high forehead was aglow, and he lapped up a ginger-ale with the air of one who considers that he has earned it. “Capital exercise!” he said, beaming upon the Oldest Member. The Oldest Member laid down his _Vardon On Casual Water_, and peered suspiciously at his companion. “What did you go round in?” he asked. “Oh, I wasn’t playing golf,” said the young man. “Bowls.” “A nauseous pursuit!” said the Oldest Member, coldly, and resumed his reading. The young man seemed nettled. “I don’t know why you should say that,” he retorted. “It’s a splendid game.” “I rank it,” said the Oldest Member, “with the juvenile pastime of marbles.” The young man pondered for some moments. “Well, anyway,” he said at length, “it was good enough for Drake.” “As I have not the pleasure of the acquaintance of your friend Drake, I am unable to estimate the value of his endorsement.” “_The_ Drake. The Spanish Armada Drake. He was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe when they told him that the Armada was in sight. ‘There is time to finish the game,’ he replied. That’s what Drake thought of bowls.” “If he had been a golfer he would have ignored the Armada altogether.” “It’s easy enough to say that,” said the young man, with spirit, “but can the history of golf show a parallel case?” “A million, I should imagine.” “But you’ve forgotten them, eh?” said the young man, satirically. “On the contrary,” said the Oldest Member. “As a typical instance, neither more nor less remarkable than a hundred others, I will select the story of Rollo Podmarsh.” He settled himself comfortably in his chair, and placed the tips of his fingers together. “This Rollo Podmarsh--” “No, I say!” protested the young man, looking at his watch. “This Rollo Podmarsh--” “Yes, but--”