“We nearly all find something to occupy ourselves with; some sleep in the afternoon, others play cards and Hussey and Rickinson (the chief engineer) the banjo and fiddle respectively and, fortunately, in concert. Poker patience is the most popular game, but in the evening Sir Ernest and three or four others play poker proper for an hour and a half. Occasionally they play bridge.”

“We seem to be a wonderfully happy family but I think Sir Ernest is the real secret of our unanimity. Considering our divergent aims and our differences of station, it is surprising how few differences of opinion occur.”

— Thomas Orde-Lees