30 The Chirpingtons of Larkley Hall. 



calendar) he has donned his first pair of breeches and 

 boots. Certainly the breeches are brown cord, and 

 the boots are what are commonly called butcher-boots ; 

 but that don't matter, they are real breeches and 

 boots for all that. Lastly comes the youngest, con- 

 sequently the pet of the family, Master Geoffrey, aged 

 nearly ten. Geoffrey has his mouth full of sausage and a 

 tear in his eye. Poor little man ! Christmas fare has 

 had its effect on him, and his mother, noticing his looks, 

 had an idea of substituting for his day's hunting a dose of 

 something pleasant and a quiet day in the nursery. How- 

 ever, old Major Jollyboy, who is staymg at the Hall, in- 

 tervenes, and Mrs. Chirpington promises to speak to papa 

 on the subject. And what says Papa ? Why, hunt of 

 course, you young sinner, and we'll physic you in the 

 morning, eh, Geoffrey ? The grateful pet grins with de- 

 light at his friend the Major, who comes second only, in 

 his estimation, to his father, and pitches into his breakfast 

 with renewed vigour, whilst the Squire, putting his big 

 watch down on the table at his elbow, works steadily 

 away at his. ** Time's up ! Here come the horses ! " 

 Up get everybody from their seats, young Tom kicking 

 his legs about with as near an imitation of the Major as 

 he can command at short notice. 



At last everybody is mounted, including the younger 

 branches of the family, and a start is made forthwith, 

 the Squire and his wife leading the way, and the young- 

 sters jogging along behind, in charge of an old groom of 

 quaint appearance who answers to the name of John. John 

 Jones is a Welshman by descent, and has been in the 

 family for years, and has now constituted himself into a 

 sort of riding master and head nurse to the children, with 



