104 CONVERSATIONAL HINTS 



cussing the conversational value of hosts, but behold 

 whither I have been carried. The fact is that 

 conversationally there is not much difference in 

 hosts. Some give you better shooting, and are 

 themselves better shots than others, and with these 

 of course your talk will be gayer and more sparkling. 

 One delightful country house, however, stands out 

 in my memory. There the host, though he was a 

 good shot, did not care to be troubled about all the 

 minutiae which the management of a shooting entails. 

 He was of an artistic temperament, and often lost 

 himself and the rest of the party in his admiration 

 of the glorious tints of an autumn landscape or the 

 marvellous effect of a distant haze. The shooting 

 was managed by his eldest son, who also controlled 

 and directed the posting of the guns. This was 

 the kind of thing that took place. 



Host (to eldest Son). Now then, Arthur, where 

 do you want me this time ? 



Eldest Son. You'd better go forward this time, 

 father, on the right. I'll walk with the beaters. 

 We'll give you plenty of time to get to your place. 



Host. That'll suit me very well. (Walks on u-itli 

 the oilier guns who have been sent foncard. After 

 an interval the beaters start.) 



