Harris, George, and J. are three Victorian idlers: amiable buffoons who love their food, their drink, and their bachelor home comforts. They're none too keen on work either, especially George, who sleeps at a bank in the City from 10 to 4 every day- "except on Saturdays, when they wake him up and put him outside at two." Yet their communal hypochondria has reached such a jittery level that they decide a change of scene would do them good. And why not a trip up the Thames in an open boat? What could be more relaxing than the natural simplicity of the river? As they set out armed with tobacco, whiskey, a frying pan, and a distinct lack of outdoor skills-accompanied by their faithful dog Montmorency (whose idea of heaven is fighting other dogs)-they find their idyll isn't quite all they bargained for. This is humorous story-telling at its very best.