46 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



I looked at the face opposite me but not a muscle 

 moved in answer to my scrutinj^ so the invitation 

 may have come at this particular time by chance, 

 but it was passing strange that when affairs assumed 

 this cloudy aspect letters would come, some to say, 

 *I have a permit and the Fly is up'; others, 'Come 

 at once, splendid stock of birds : hares and rabbits 

 doing mischief and must be shot.' 



We had a hearty greeting from our friends, a mid- 

 day meal with them, and then much gossip and farm 

 talk; and after that there were stock and crops to 

 see. 



The old and substantial house, judged by appear- 

 ances, was planned when money was plentiful and the 

 family for whom it was built small, for the rooms were 

 large and lofty, though few in number. Since then 

 additions have made it a well-arranged and spacious 

 home. 



I doubt whether the outward appearances in the 

 carrying on of any trade so readily disclose signs of 

 prosperity, or the reverse, as do those of a farm. 

 To rest an arm on the outer gate that gives admittance 

 to the private road and take a peep at this comfortable- 

 looking farm-house, with its well-trained, flowering 

 creepers, closely shorn lawn, and long array of sub- 

 stantial outbuildings, would make any countryman 

 pleasedly expectant. During our walk I saw stacks of 

 sweet old meadow hay, ricks of well-saved com, up- 

 standing gates and well-trimmed hedges, housed carts 

 and implements ; and all had a tongue to say : 

 'There is heart and pride in our farming.' 



Sleek coats on horses' backs, fat bullocks' level 

 rumps, restful pigs, and chuckling hens — all told of 

 plenty. Rabbits' ear-tips amongst the grass; hares 

 springing from their forms and going away with a 

 side way gallop; partridges calling their nev/ly-hatched 

 broods, and cock pheasants strutting and pecking 

 near the coppice, showed that their market value had 



