A sliver of Sir Alistair Chichester’s estate lies choked with brome and cocksfoot between the waste water treatment facility of Chichesterton-Upon-Hogg and the ancient Roman quarry. Known to locals as Rumpstone Fallows, the plot has served as a squat for birders and pikies in the past.

The Reverend Llewelyn Bidley-Spaulding, however, in his role as spiritual and temporal counselor to the great man, has sensitized Sir Alistair to the tax benefits of canny philanthropy on the part of persons encumbered with inherited wealth.

In a fit of charity pursuant thereto, Sir Alistair has donated the Fallows to the village for exclusive use as a polo field. Coal miners, barmaids, shopkeepers, petty tradesmen, redundant laborers, errand boys, indeed, bleeders, blokes and berks of every ilk may get a whiff of the sport of kings on a pauper’s budget.

The cost to punters will be only the day’s rate, generously discounted by Sir Alistair, of a stick and pony let from Chichester Stables: twenty-five pounds on Saturdays, thirty-five on Sundays.

Take as a specimen the average miner. From his month’s wage, the ensuing discretionary income is some one-quarter of a Saturday’s polo gear. How long must a chap scrimp in order to realize his dream of joining a quartet for six chukkas on a Sunday? Use fractions.

(Social Math — UK. Copyright 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.)