What's the idea of four poles, half poles you might call them, two on a side ?" "You see," Tanno explained, "It is far harder to get sound, flawless, perfect poles full length.

Then, too, full-length spare poles are very bothersome and inconvenient to carry.

With a litter equipped in this fashion one man can carry a spare pole, and they are much easier and quicker to put in if a pole snaps." "I should think," Hirnio remarked, "that the half-poles would pull out of the sockets." "Not a bit," said Tanno, "they clamp in at the end, this way.

See?
The clamps fasten instantly and release at a touch, but hold tenaciously when shut." Under the arcade my household had gathered to say farewell and wish me good luck.

I spoke briefly to each and thanked Ofatulena for her distinguished cookery, both in respect to the credit her masterpieces had done me at dinner and also for the taste of her rolls, which yet lingered in mouth and memory.