OLD MICHAELMAS DAY 307 



you took them as they came, taking no 

 thought about your average. Luncheon 

 and the ladies await you by the red- 

 roofed barn, clustered round with yellow- 

 brown ricks, sheltering in the hollow at 

 the foot of the valley ; and thither you 

 betake yourself, after seeing your full 

 tally of slain safely stowed in the game 

 van. 



Good sport again in the afternoon, 

 till the evening shadows lengthen on the 

 autumn stubbles, and it is time to turn 

 homewards. After immemorial custom, 

 the bag is spread out on the lawn, and 

 though you are no glutton for slaughter 

 as a rule, you cannot for once help feeling 

 well pleased when you think that the 

 whole of one of those six rows may fairly 

 be claimed as your share. Fifty brace 

 to your own gun a right good score 

 made by close attention to business and 

 fair shooting. 



