86 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



breakfast to be ready an hour before the first cock-crow 

 I should have approached the subject with whispering 

 humbleness, and then ver}^ probably have compromised 

 by suggesting a later hour. Punctual to the minute, 

 with every requisite in its place, we sat down to 

 a breakfast that would have stood the searchings of 

 broad daylight without a fault being found in it, 

 and the waiting-maid was as spruce as spruce could be, 

 and wore such a pleasing smile that all our compunc- 

 tions at having brought her from her warm bed so 

 early on a frosty morning fled. 



The keeper came for us at the time appointed, 

 and brought in with him the first whiff of the change 

 going on outdoors. His face was red with cold and 

 his hands needed much rubbing, at least I thought so 

 from the lengthened time he rubbed them; but my 

 friend understood the symptoms better and ordered 

 him a glass of rum, and the rubbing ceased. 



The first streaks of dav/n were rising as we left 

 our quarters, and above our heads, in the spaces 

 between the broken clouds, clusters of faintly shining 

 stars helped to give some light to the startling change 

 the night had brought. Snow had fallen, and whitened 

 house-tops, trees, and hedges; so generously had it 

 come that our footsteps fell noiselessly excepting when 

 we crunched the ice in the hollow places of the road. 

 We stepped out briskly in the uncertain light and were 

 soon at the lake, but not before the still hidden sun 

 had driven the stars away and so painted the clouds 

 that they foretold more snow or rain. 



My wonderment at the keeper's readiness to par- 

 take of rum so early was lessened, and my respect 

 for him much increased, when I saw that the punt 

 had been freed of snow and was clean and sweet- 

 smelling. 



We hastened to commence our fishing; not because 

 we feared the weather; the duck shooters and their 

 time of coming were in our mind. In spite of protests. 



