66 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



face a reality, and it looked so different in practice from what 

 it would have done in theory that her spirit sank, and for 

 the first time in her life she felt something akin to panic. 



'' Charles, it's beyond me! " she exclaimed. 



" Nonsense ! Rubbish ! Why, if I were you, I'd put on a 

 red coat and breeches and boots, and see the thing out, and 

 Victor " 



'' Charles ! " 



'* Well, I was going to say damned, but I won't. Where's 

 the difficulty ? For years, as I gather from the papers, 

 you've been advocating women's rights, and trying to revolu- 

 tionise women's dress, though I notice you avoid illustration 

 in your own person. What's the difference between rationals 

 and breeches and boots ? Where do you draw the line ? 

 You go to a man milliner, why not to a breeches maker ? 

 You show your — er — legs on a bicycle, why the deuce 

 shouldn't you on a horse ; if you wear boots, it doesn't 

 much matter what — well, anyhow, why not act up to your 

 theories ? " 



" My dear Charles, how would you like to see your daugh- 

 ter do it ? " 



" There you are, you see ! When the matter comes home, 

 even when backed up by a necessity — a positive necessity — 

 your theories hold no more water than a sieve. Lavvy ? 

 Well, I haven't asked her ; but Lavvy's a practical person." 



Miss Badsworth was silent, and her brother resumed his 

 walk, working out a scheme. Presently she said, " How 

 like you are to Hugo ". 



" I hope I'm not as mad. I should discharge the lot." 



'' Whom ? " 



" The stable and kennel men ; at least I should have them 

 all up and give them the option to go if they like, or else 

 stick by you and hold their tongues till the end of the season. 

 I wouldn't part with Summers if gold would keep him, but 

 he will have a will of his own if I'm not mistaken. Then 

 you must go round and see all the farmers and make friends 

 with them ; you must ride about and learn the country and 



