386 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



WAFTED FROM AFAR. 



Such a lovely winter has not visited us for years — was there 

 ever such a January ? I ask you. But let me be excused from 

 extolling its charms. Mine is the soberer task of transcribing 

 what is told me as happening on these delicious days, when 

 the sunlight brings gladness even through a window pane. Ah 

 me ! — were I but a duchess in a brougham, I too might be 

 happy. To my lower-class understanding, mirth is begotten of 

 activity, life is of fresh air and free movement. Sense and sight 

 are of no avail to one who must sit still. But to history. 



No. / was not with the wrong pack on Friday last, Jan. 18. 

 Daventry, Weedon (Road Weedon, is it not ?) and the north 

 probably went to Brington and the Pytchley. How much 

 better off am I, to whom the postman brings my sport — some- 

 times in outline joyful and prolonged, sometimes in commentary 

 jerky and protesting. In either case the meaning is clear. 

 There has been a run, or there has been a day of disappoint- 

 ment. I haven't endured the latter. I can throw heart and 

 soul into the former. For my own benefit — not for yours, who 

 trust me for facts — I can incident the outline, fill in the by- play, 

 take my fun to the full — second-hand fun, maybe — but fun for 

 all that, and as for the failures, I throw them aside. I have 

 had no bootless days ; I haven't even a lame horse. I wish 

 you had been at Wappenham on Friday — you will go there 

 next time — and the Pytchley shall that day have the run of the 

 season, from Nobottle Wood (?). 



Yet Wappenham is no far cry from the border line : and, 

 besides, does it not adjoin the very pick of the Grafton country, 

 Weedon Bushes (adjacent to Weedon Lois), Plumpton Wood, 

 and all their green surroundings ? There are two sides to 

 Wappenham — as there are two sides to every venture in life. 

 Here is what came of the chance on Friday ; and I would have 

 given — at this moment nothing that I have to give would seem 

 exorbitant — could I have ridden that day with the Grafton 

 pack (were they the ladies, Frank Beers ? I have a notion 



