192 THE COUNTRY DOCTOR 



intention of stealing an hour's shooting in some 

 patch of roadside woods, or as much fishing in the 

 stream that intersects his route. The entire days of 

 such recreation that fall to his lot, lie far apart in 

 the year. 



It often happens when a day of freedom has ap- 

 parently come, it slips away from him into the un- 

 certainties of the future. Shells are loaded over 

 night, the gun cleaned and oiled, or the rod put in 

 order, tackle overhauled, flies arranged or bait 

 secured. He falls asleep with a prayer for an 

 auspicious morrow, to dream pleasant dreams of 

 frost-painted woodlands or waters rippled by the 

 south wind's breath and shadowless beneath a 

 clouded sky. The slow dawn brings an answer to 

 his prayer, and his dreams seem about to material- 

 ize into tangible realities. His horse is at the door, 

 his gun or rod in hand, his heart is light with 

 the thought of throwing physic to the dogs for a 

 day, when in rushes a messenger with an urgent 

 call to some serious case. 



In an instant the promised day of recreation is 

 changed to one of wearing toil and anxiety. He 

 meets the disappointment with a cheerful face 

 and takes up the scarcely dropped burden of care 

 without a murmur. Indeed he has grown so ac- 

 customed to such miscarriage of his plans that he 

 is least disappointed when most so, and hope 

 deferred does not make his stout heart sick. 



