Produced by Al Haines

JONAH AND CO.

BY

DORNFORD YATES

WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED

LONDON AND MELBOURNE

LIBRARY EDITIONS OF "JONAH AND CO."

  First Published September 1922
  Reprinted 2,000 October 1922
  Reprinted 2,000 October 1923
  Reprinted 2,000 September 1924
  Reprinted 2,000 May 1925
  Reprinted 3,000 February 1926
  Reprinted 12,000 June 1927
  Reprinted 8,000 March 1928
  Reprinted 5,000 August 1929
  Reprinted 10,000 August 1930
  Reprinted 10,000 February 1933
  Reprinted 8,000 December 1935
  Reprinted 8,000 March 1939
  Reprinted 5,000 February 1942
  Reprinted 9,000 December 1943

BOOK PRODUCTION WAR ECONOMY STANDARD

THE TYPOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK CONFORMS TO THE AUTHORIZED ECONOMY STANDARD.

MADE IN ENGLAND

Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London

To

ELM TREE ROAD

MY LADY,

It is hard, sitting here, to believe that, if I would call for a cab,I could be in St. James's Street in less than ten minutes of time.Nevertheless, it is true. I have proved it so many times. Soon Ishall prove it for the last time.

Better men than I will sit in this study and pace the lawn in thegarden with the high walls. The lilies and laburnums and all the gayfellowship of flowers will find a new waterman. The thrushes andblackbirds and wood-pigeons will find a new victualler. The privateforecourt, so richly hung with creeper, will give back my footfalls nomore. Other eyes will dwell gratefully upon the sweet pretty house andlook proudly out of its leaded window-panes.

The old order changeth, my lady. And so I am going, before I amdriven out.

Nine years ago there was a farm upon the opposite side of the road—alittle old English farm. Going out of my door of a morning, I used tomeet ducks and geese that were taking the air. And horses came home ateven, and cows lowed. Now the farm is gone, and a garage has taken itsroom. And other changes have come, and others still are coming.

So, you see, my lady, it is high time I was gone.

This quiet study has seen the making of my books. This—the last itwill see—I make bold to offer to you for many reasons, but mainlybecause, for one thing, this house belongs to you and, for another, nohostess was ever so charming to the stranger within her gates.

I have the honour to be,

Your ladyship's humble servant, DORNFORD YATES.

Number Six.

CONTENTS

CHAP.

I HOW BERRY STEPPED INTO THE BREACH, AND JONAH CAME FIRST AND WAS FIRST SERVED

II HOW THREE WAGERS WERE MADE, AND ADÈLE KILLED TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

III HOW A GOLDEN CALF WAS SET UP, AND NOBBY SHOWED HIMSELF A TRUE PROPHET

...