ch. iv. J REMINISCENCES. 81 



jar was a very familiar sound. Sometimes when he was in 

 the drawing-room, it would occur to him that the study fire 

 must be burning low, and when one of us offered to see aftei 

 it, it would turn out that he also wished to get a pinch of 

 snuff. 



Smoking he only took to permanently of late years, 

 though on his Pampas rides he learned to smoke with the 

 Gauchos, and I have heard him speak of the great comfort 

 of a cup of mate and a cigarette when he halted after a long 

 ride and was unable to get food for some time. 



He came down at four o'clock to dress for his walk, and 

 he was so regular that one might be quite certain it was 

 within a few minutes of four when his descending steps 

 were heard. 



From about half-past four to half-past five he worked ; 

 then he came to the drawing-room, and was idle till it was 

 time (about six) to go up for another rest with novel-read- 

 ing and a cigarette. 



Latterly he gave up late dinner, and had a simple tea at 

 half -past seven (while we had dinner), with an egg or a 

 small piece of meat. After dinner he never stayed in the 

 room, and used to apologise by saying he was an old woman 

 who must be allowed to leave with the ladies. This was 

 one of the many signs and results of his constant weakness 

 and ill-health. Half an hour more or less conversation 

 would make to him the difference of a sleepless night and 

 of the loss perhaps of half the next day's work. 



After dinner he played backgammon with my mother, 

 two games being played every night. For many years a 

 score of the games which each won was kept, and in this 

 score he took the greatest interest. He became extremely 

 animated over these games, bitterly lamenting his bad luck 

 and exploding with exaggerated mock-anger at my mother's 

 good fortune. 



After playing backgammon he read some scientific book 

 to himself, either in the drawing-room, or, if much talking 

 was going on, in the study. 



In the evening that is, after he had read as much as 

 his strength would allow, and before the reading aloud be- 

 gan he would often lie on the sofa and listen to my 

 mother playing the piano. He had not a good ear, yet in 

 spite of this he had a true love of fine music. He used to 

 lament that his enjoyment of music had become dulled 

 with age, yet within my recollection his love of a good tune 



