160 The Hunting Field With Horse and Hound 



"Fit! I should say he is!" I remarked. "He is simply 

 spoiling for a run." 



" 'E's allers that way, sir, when 'e's been in for a few days. 

 I daresay, sir, you will find 'im a bit above hisself to-day, sir, 

 but he means nothing by that, sir. A quieter, better-mannered 

 'orse never looked through a bridle, sir." 



To prove his words, the groom stroked Richard's hind legs 

 and pulled him about, adding, "There is not a bit of ^^ce in- 

 tended, sir. You can tell that by the looks on him, can't you, 

 sir?" 



I liked Richard immensely. I liked him all the better for 

 kicking off liis blankets. I once owned a hunter that did the 

 very same trick, when, as the groom expressed it, " 'E was feel- 

 ing a little above hisself." 



What a delightful morning it was ! The sun shone and the 

 wind was just right to insure a good scenting day. What a 

 change had come over the spirits of every one. The morning 

 train from I^ondon and the north brought back two score or 

 more riders who had gone away during the frost, wliile a dozen 

 horse cars, which were attached to the express trains, brought 

 in tmce as many hunters. 



Men in scarlet were seen everywhere about the Bay ]Mare 

 Inn. 



Our landlady had her hands full looking after all the little 

 wants of her guests. 



"Sportsmen are such careless fellows," she informed me, and 

 added, in a confidential tone, "I would as soon fit out as many 

 girls for a party." 



A bell rings vigorously. 



"Yes, sir, in just a moment. That's Lord ringing 



for his boots. He forgot to put them out to be cleaned. I do 

 hope," she continued, "you will have a good run and come 

 home as hungry as wolves." 



Here she broke off to pull on a glove for a gentleman 



