THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



fathers of eacli keep excellent tables — indeed, one of them 

 gives £200 a year to his French cook — I do hope you and the 

 cook will exert yourselves, and not let them go home saying 

 they were half -starved at Amstead.' 



' No one was ever starved here yet,' muttered the cook, as 

 she walked out of the room, not a little nettled at the remark ; 

 adding, when she thought she was out of hearing, — ' Tlcis 

 comes of your C/iristchurcJi job ; but it does not signify talking, 

 the times get worse and worse. Gentlemen isn't now what 

 they had used to be, contented with a good wholesome dinner ; 

 a plague on those French cooks, say I ; they have brought 

 many a good gentleman to the dogs. I know one of them 

 who ' 



Here her voice was drowned by persons meeting her in the 

 passage which led to her scene of action — the well-stored 

 kitchen — our hero joining with Mrs. Jones in a hearty laugh 

 at the zeal displayed by the faithful old cook for the credit of 

 the Amstead kitchen. 



Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof : here the conversa- 

 tion with this class of domestics ceased ; but on the following- 

 morning it was somewhat alarmingly resumed amongst those 

 of another description. 



' I want to see Mr. Robson,' said our hero, and Mr. Robson 

 (the steward) made his appearance. 



'Robson,' said Frank Raby, 'I want to find out a part 

 of the park where the ground is very dry and sound, and 

 (juite out of sight of the house ; also within easy reach of 

 water.' 



' May I ask you, sir,' replied Mr. Robson, ' for what purpose 

 you intend to apply such land ? If for .planting ' 



' It is not for planting at all,' interrupted the young Squire 

 (for ' being 'planted,' perhaps, would have been no misnomer). 

 ' I have some idea of getting two or three thorough-bred brood 

 mares, in which case half a dozen paddocks will be necessary. 

 The spot should be high and dry, and in as retired a part as 

 can be found, that the mares may not be disturbed.' 



' Have you consulted the Squire, sir, may I be so bold to 

 ask ? ' observed the steward. 



' Not yet,' answered Frank ; ' but leave that to me. Let us 

 walk into the park, and look for the place I want.' 



As they were proceeding on their errand, througli the fine 



158 



