by Jerome K. Jerome
George, Harris, Jerome and Montmorency (the dog) are the main characters.
George and Harris said that they had fits of giddiness and, about Jerome, it was his liver that was out of order. He knew it was his liver that was out of order because he had been reading a patent liver-pill circular in which were detailed various symptoms by which a man could tell when his liver was out of order. And he had them all.
The only cure for their sickness was a revitalizing river trip in an open boat.
They packed enough to eat, enough to wear and a little more than enough to drink; for thirst is “a dangerous thing”.
About the characters:
Montmorency – the foxterier – looked as if he knew something, but said nothing.
George liked his banjo and he played “Two lovely black eyes”.
Harris always did know a place round the corner here, where you can get a drop of “the finest Scotch whisky you ever tasted”.
Jerome – the author – thought that there is nothing does irritate him more than seeing other people doing nothing when he is working and had the fixed idea that he is doing everything.
In the evening, they lit theirs pipes and sat, looking out on the river and talked.
They had a lots of adventures: falling in the river; rowing through the rain; arguing with some swans.
They said it was a change and pretended that they enjoyed it.
But finally, they decided that being out of a boat was better.
