MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 31 



privileged members of the pack making their way subse- 

 quently to the house, the dressing of the horses inspected, 

 the damage to the Squire's mount duly discussed, a few 

 choice Devon and Alderney cows shown, orders for various 

 matters on the morrow given, until " Now, I think it's all 

 done, let us get ready for dinner or we shall get into trouble," 

 led to a brisk walk to the house. 



As Jack made his preparations, such as they were, he 

 found himself wondering what manner of young lady Miss 

 Badsworth might be. Was she horsey as well as sporting ? 

 No mother, a thorough sportsman for a father, it was more 

 than likely, and yet keen as she had shown herself there was 

 something in her manner which gave the impression that 

 she might be a girl of "times and seasons". There were 

 young ladies in the region of Dumpshire who were wont 

 to recapitulate the "jumps they had taken," and the wond- 

 rous feats they had performed, as is the custom with those 

 who are of timid disposition, and magnify the imaginary peril 

 when subsequent safety is attained. With such Jack had 

 no sympathy. " Anyway," he thought, " if Miss Badsworth 

 fights again the battles of to-day we shall have an all-night 

 sitting." 



It was only as the dinner bell rang that Lavvy appeared, 

 and so great yet so simple was the change that Jack felt 

 doubtful whether this could be the same girl he had seen 

 with her cap in her hand and her horn to her mouth that 

 same afternoon miles away upon the moor. 



The bright brown curly hair and the merry brown eyes 

 were the same, but the sedate though easy manner seemed 

 to belong to somebody else. She had been the first whip 

 during the day, but now she was the mistress of her father's 

 house, and right well she carried out the part. She entered 

 the room in a quick energetic style, but the skirt of her dress 

 trailed behind her as it only can do in the case of a woman 

 who can walk. John Knox, who followed her closely, trod 

 upon it twice. 



A black satin blouse slashed with rose colour and wond- 



