LATEST NOVELS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 19

LATEST NOVELS

SELECTED AT RANDOM BOOTS AT "THE SABAGkVS HEAD." "Old Pybus." By Warwick Deeping. London: Cassells. iSoncll senior in Mr. Deeping's novel "Sorrcll and Son," it will bo recalled, was a .-.hotel ..servant, a gentleman in disguise, and old Pybus, who gives his name to Mr. Deeping's latest novel, is introduced (by one of his two soils) as " 'boots' at a local' pub." Old Pybus had taken over a second-hand book business from his father in the now. vauished Holywell street »'hieh with its equally aneieut parallel, Wych street, will still be remembered by mid-dle-aged book-lovers as a placo whero , other things .than books were to be found. Pybus belonged io that time. When the- war came the two sons of Pybus hung back, to the' old man's grief, and they made fortunes, one in trade, the other in shopping. Both boys had been difficult problems to their father. Therefore ho was glad when th.ey went, out, in to the City .for them-! solves, so ho closed his shop iti Holywell street, went down into Dorsetshire and opened a, bookshop there. It was a failure, but he sold up; met all his debts, and had £25 over. Then ho disappeared out of the lives of his sons, and (it was in 1917) the man got a job as a tram conductor in a Midland town. The sons-waxed richer and richer through' the war. One of them, Conrad Pybus, sought out the-old man, the "Boots at the Saracen's Head," and wanted to pension 1 him off on &3 a week. The father cut the son dead. "I don't know you, sir, "he said, and went on and by his wealthy and dumbfounded son. However, young Lance Pybus, son of Conrad, ferrets out his grandfather. He is.pleasantly surprised to discover a little old man in black alpaca coat, aiid decides to name him "The Venerable." Grandfather and grandson become very friendly, but the old man is' unaware of the relationship. Lance remarks that

"The Venerable" understood the inwardness of the things while ouc said them. "And the delight of being understood without - oxplalnings, while catching tho gteam in those resolute bluo .eyes, and in hearing.the right echo come back to you 1 What was tho subtle nexus between them? How was if that In the presence of his grandfather ho felt himself .both man and child, and able to reveal him innermost thoughts with a confidence that was perfect?' His grandfather was so young, yet not young' like',the young things. Ho could chuckle. Ho had a sense of humour." : Eventually Lance makes his identity known when tie 'sees his : grandfather struggling with baggage. Ho offers to help and is repulsed with "If you please, sir. Can't allow it." Lance, responds, "but I suppose I can help my own grandfather.^' His identity being disclosed the old man asks him— 1- ' "I'robyu's boy?" ' "Yes." ■ "Does he know " "No." ■ ... \ "Something happened to old John I'ybus's face^ A sudden,, strange * softness overflowed it. The blue stare went, out of his eyes. ,Ho allowed his grandson to take the luggage from him." . . ■..'-... "Old Pybus" will'-bc read with all the interest that "Sorrell and Son" was'read; judging by the publishers' returns. This latest novel of Warwick Deeping might be utilised, too, with good-drawing effect as a cinema picture, for it holds up the vulgar and new-rich to odium. Lance's career at school, college, and afterwards are dealt with in detail and make attractive reading. .