176 The Great Presentation Day. 



^* Silence I " cries everybody at once, ^' silence ! " and 

 silence being at last obtained, Mr. Grimboy, the veteran 

 of the hunt, is seen getting on his legs to make a 

 speech. . 



In a few well-chosen sentences, very much to the point, 

 he proposed the health of Lord Daisyfield, winding up by 

 begging him, on behalf of his fellow members of the hunt, 

 to accept as a slight token of their esteem and regard, &c., 

 &c., the portrait which they had all seen and so much 

 admired that morning. 



My lord responded very briefly, being a man of few 

 words. He thanked them, one and all, for their kindness, 

 in thus thinking of him. 



^' The beautiful picture they had so kindly presented to 

 him that morning, needless to say, he should treasure 

 beyond everything. There was only one fault to be found 

 in it, if his friend, Mr. Scumbler would forgive him for 

 saying so, which was, that that talented artist had flattered 

 him too much." (Loud cries of No! No!) ''I won't 

 say the same though of my horse," said my lord with a 

 smile, *' for no artist in England could flatter him, he's the 

 best I ever rode." (Hear ! Hear ! And *' I'll give you four 

 hundred for him this minute ! " from Charles Wildoats.) 

 '' My old friend Mr. Grimboy," went on his lordship, '' who 

 has forgotten more about foxhunting than I ever knew 

 — (^ Not a bit of it ! ' from the veteran)^is good enough 

 to say that, during the twenty-five years that I have 

 hunted the country, I have done so entirely to your 

 satisfaction. All I can say is that, if such is the case, I 

 am as much pleased as you are. I can assure you all of 

 one thing, which is, that I have done my best, and that it 

 has been all along a labour of love." 



