THE REV. JOHN RUSSELL. 179 



was not at home ; but when I returned to dinner 

 Mrs. Russell said, ' Robert Woolcombe has been 

 here all the morning, waiting to see you.' 



" ' And did he say what he wanted ? ' I 

 inquired. 



" ' His brother is anxious to buy your hounds, 

 and sent him over to treat for them ; they think 

 that, as a clergyman, you ought not to keep 

 them.' 



"'They are very kind neighbours,' I said, 

 ' and I fully appreciate their good feeling ; but 

 at the same time I hope I do them no wrong 

 if I altogether mistrust their motives.' 



" ' Robert is coming again to-morrow,' con- 

 tinued Mrs. Russell, ' and is bent on seeing 

 you.' 



" Before the morrow arrived, however, being 

 forewarned as to the object of his visit, I was 

 fully prepared with my answer. 



"The next day he accordingly came; and 

 as he took me by the hand, I said, ' Well 

 Robert, and pray what's your pleasure ? ' 



" ' I came to buy your hounds,' he responded, 

 bluntly ; ' what's your price ? ' 



"'Three hundred guineas,' I replied, 'for 

 all but five couple, which I shall keep.' 



"'A bargain,' he said; "I'll take them. 

 But what are you going to do with the five 

 couple ? ' 



" ' Keep them as a nucleus for another pack.' 



