WARWICK WOODLANDS. 101 



" And that we may be up in time for him, if perchance he 

 should, let us to bed forthwith," said Frank with a heavy yawn. 



" I am content/' answered Harry, finishing his cup of coffee, 

 and flinging the stump of his cheroot into the fire. " Good- 

 night ! Timothy will call you in the morning." 



" Goodnight, old fellow." 



And the friends parted merrily, in prospect of a pleasant day's 

 sport on the morrow. 



THE MORNING'S SPORT. 



IT was not yet broad daylight when Harry Archer, who had, 

 as was usual with him on his sporting tour, arisen with the lark, 

 was sitting in the little parlor I have before described, close to 

 the chimney corner, where a bright lively fire was already burn- 

 ing, and spreading a warm cheerful glow through the apart- 

 ment. 



The large round table, drawn up close to the hearth, was 

 covered with a clean though coarse white cloth, and laid for 

 breakfast, with two cups and saucers, flanked by as many plates 

 and egg-cups, although as yet no further preparations for the 

 morning meal, except the presence of a huge home-made loaf 

 and a large roll of rich goklen-hued butter, had been made by 

 the neat-handed Phillis of the country inn. Two candles were 

 lighted, for though the clay had broken, the sun was not yet 

 high enough to cast his rays into that deep and rock-walled val- 

 ley, and by their light Archer was busy with the game-bag, the 

 front of which he had finished netting on the previous night. 



Frank Forester had not as yet made Irs appearance ; and 

 still, while the gigantic copper kettle bubbled and steamed away 

 upon the hearth, discoursing eloquent music, and servant after 

 servant bustled in, one with a cold quail-pie, another with a 

 quart jug of cream, and fresh eggs ready to be boiled by the 

 fastidious epicures in person, he steadily worked on, housewife 

 and saddler's silk, and wax and scissors ready to his hand; and 

 when at last the door flew open, and the delinquent comrade 

 entered, he flung his finished job upon the chair, and gathered 

 up his implements, with 



"Now, Frank, let's lose no time, but get our breakfasts. 



