The Coachmaster 



The strain of the last few months had 

 been very great on my Mother, and she 

 had now sunk into a condition of querulous 

 childishness, sad enough to see and live 

 with ; all the sadder, I think, because she 

 had been in the past such a bright, busy 

 soul, sharp at times in temper, but devoted 

 indeed, and as fond of fun as any of us, in 

 due season. 



As I sat with my Father that afternoon, 

 telling him about my wife and little child, 

 and the little home I had made by dint of 

 such hard work, my Mother broke out at 

 intervals into peevish railing against him ; 

 and I do not forget his patient way with 

 her. Every now and again came Mary 

 and reprimanded her as if she were a child : 

 '' Mother, Mother dear, you mustn't say 

 such things to dear Father, who is always 

 so good to you." 



His sunny unselfish nature found even a 

 little fun where others feared he would find 

 only pain and vexation. 



'' O my boy," he said to me that day, 

 after one of her railing fits, " this is nothing 

 to what she says sometimes, bless her ! 

 You should hear her then ; it's as good as 

 a bull-bait ! " And he laughed heartily. 

 '' As good as a bull-bait, ain't it. Mother 

 dear ? " he repeated, taking her hand on 

 85 



