BERRY AND CO.

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

Published by Ward, Lock & Co.:—
    BERRY AND CO.
    JONAH AND CO.
    MAIDEN STAKES.
    THE STOLEN MARCH.
    ANTHONY LYVEDEN.
    VALERIE FRENCH.
    AND FIVE WERE FOOLISH.
    AS OTHER MEN ARE.
    THE BROTHER OF DAPHNE.
    THE COURTS OF IDLENESS.

Published by Hodder & Stoughton:—
    BLIND CORNER.
    PERISHABLE GOODS.
    BLOOD ROYAL.
    FIRE BELOW.
    ADÈLE AND CO.

BERRY AND CO.

BY

DORNFORD YATES

WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED

LONDON AND MELBOURNE

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY PURNELL AND SONS
PAULTON (SOMERSET) AND LONDON

Dear Valerie,

When a writer admits that he has an affectionfor something which he has written, it is high time topray for his soul. Yet I make bold to confess thatthere are in this book some passages which I hold dear—aseeming vanity, which must be explained.

Many times you have found me at work upon thesechapters. Often you have taken ill-written pages ofmanuscript from my table and, sitting down in a chair,deciphered them for what they were worth. Once ortwice, whilst you read, you have fallen into silverylaughter.

Do you wonder that I treasure the sentences whichdrew forth such music?

This is my dedication.

As many as see you are glad of the sight. All whoknow you are proud of the honour. But the manwhose efforts your mirth has commended is the proudestand happiest of the lot.

Need I say that your name is not Valerie? Ithink not. You will know whom I mean.

Most faithfully yours,

Dornford Yates.

Pau, November, 1920.

CONTENTS

I How Will Noggin was Fooled, and BerryRode Forth against his Will

II How Daphne Wrote for Assistance, andMr. Holly was Outbid

III How a Man may Follow his own Hat, andBerry took a Lamp in his Hand

IV How Nobby came to Sleep upon my Bed, andBerry fell among Thieves

V How Jill's Education was Improved, andDaphne gave her Husband the Slip

VI How Nobby Attended a Wedding, and BerrySpoke Nothing but the Truth

VII How Jonah Obeyed his Orders, and Daphneand Katharine Festival Backed Thesame Horse