Snowdrops from a Curate’s Garden

be fit for work tonight. The lioness used to lick it with some effect, I remember. Couldn’t ask Eve to do that, though. It would degrade her, I’m sure. I must try and raise her to my level rather than — Damn that potato patch ! It must be dug over to- morrow, and only the old flint spade still. A man in Lord God’s position — House of Lords, stake in the country, and all that ought to provide iron spades — this is the only country planet for bil- lions of miles where science hasn’t penetrated, so that young prince says — don’t believe he’s a real prince, though — took all that cursing from a sim- ple Lord like a lamb — says it’s beneath his dignity to swear back. I’d have had the bugger up for criminal libel. Threatened him, too, about Eve’s baby smashing his head.” But at this point a prowling megatherium wailed and Adam snatched up a sling and started off to drive him away. Eve lost no time in knocking violently on her belly. “ Time to get up, sir. I’ll bring your hot water in a minute ! ” Satan awoke, and not being fond of wa- ter, hot or otherwise, unless with a considerable portion of Mammon’s old Highland Hell-fire, climbed down, put his head out, and asked what the devil the knocking was about. “ Get away, dear, Adam’s gone out for an hour, quick, and don’t hurt me.” “ No, Eve, I will spend the night with you.” “ But Adam ? ” “ Let him come in too.” “ No, he’ll discover everything. I’d rather any other plan.” “ My plan is necessary — you don’t know all the secret yet.” And with an affectionate little snap at the clitoris as he passed, Satan again withdrew into his cosy hiding-place. Adam soon returned victorious from his raid, and was very glad to lay his fur aside, and seek the embraces of his consort. Any doubts he might have had were soon removed by Eve whose mass of tawny hair soon hung over his thighs, while her little red mouth proceeded to excite him to the [90]