240 CHASING AND RACING 



dear friend of mine, and myself. A pleasant evening 

 was always to be looked for. Some kind friend had 

 presented the V.G.P. with what was alleged to be a 

 French bull-dog, but which fell far short of the ideal 

 in the matter of points. 



Said my hostess to me, ** His Nibs is going to bring 

 his dog over to show you and obtain your expert 

 opinion. I don't think it is much of a one, but for 

 goodness sake don't say so ! '* 



All the same I was determined to speak out and 

 say just what I thought of the dog, whose name was 

 Peter. So when the V.G.P. , with a look of pride on his 

 popular features, showed me his pet, I told him exactly 

 what the dog's failings were, and what its good points 

 (which were precious few) ; whilst behind its master's 

 back my anxious hostess was glowering at me and 

 contorting her classic features with forbidding frowns. 

 But she need not have been alarmed, for the owner 

 accepted my criticisms quite meekly, if sadly, and anon 

 walked me out to the paddocks to inspect the stud and 

 to pass my opinion on its units. 



When we returned to five o'clock tea several 

 notable Turfites were assembled, and the cup that 

 cheers and often, I believe, does inebriate (in certain 

 feminine instances), was being handed round, and we 

 fell to discussing future events. I remember having a 

 wager with the V.G.P. that Newhaven II. would beat 

 a certain nominee of his in the Ascot Cup, " both to 

 run and one to win," when I became aware that Peter 



