102 SOME VERY PRIVATE CONVERSATION. 



I once saw Mr. Tailby jump an oxer near Rolleston, at the 

 outset of a gallop to Billesdon Coplow ; it was in the corner of a 

 field, and the rails only extended about thirty yards, but so good 

 w^as the take-off, it was too tempting for him to miss the oppor- 

 tunity. Always a man of few words, he laughingly remarked to 

 me just afterwards — " I've had that place in my mind for years, 

 but never a chance till to-day." 



Mr. Tailby was not only noted for great hospitality, but also 

 for keeping " a very good table." One day a Mr. St. John, a 

 native of Hampshire, who used to hunt in the Shires, rode up and 

 engaged my father in apparently some very private conversation ; 

 and a sister of mine, who was riding by his side, naturally dropped 

 back a few paces so as not to be de trop. She did, however, catch 

 the last few words ; they were these — " the fish sauce was excel- 

 lent, and the jelly tip-top." Mr. St. John had dined at Skeflington 

 Hall the previous night ! 



