MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 71 



There was a slight murmur of whispered conversation on 

 all hands, but no one was inclined to make a suggestion, 

 knowing well the only course which could secure independ- 

 ence. 



Major Creswell sprang into the breach — that is, he rose 

 and cleared his throat. 



Lady Flora screwed round the battery of her glasses and 

 chuckled. For the first time in his life the Major was under 

 fire. 



** I consider that the members of the Cranston Hunt have 

 been grossly insulted by the terms proposed for carrying on 

 the working of the country." (Several murmurs of " Oh, 

 oh ! ") 



" Mr. Chairman," said Lady Flora, '' allow me to ask 

 what proposition is before the meeting ? I understand that 

 Hugo Badsworth left a Will, as he had every right to do. 

 What is the proposition ? " 



Sir Gregory stammered that there was none, but he 

 thought Major Creswell might be going to move one. 



*' I must protest against interruption," said the Major. 



" I suppose you allude to me," said Lady Flora. '* If so, 

 I shall ask what questions I please. The man's dead, and 

 I won't hear him abused — insult, indeed ! What did you 

 ever pay towards the hunt beyond a miserable sovereign to 

 the poultry fund ? Well, go on, let us hear what you have 

 to say." 



The Major was purple in the face, but he was reminded of 

 his wife and took a humbler tone. 



"The fact is," he said, "it is useless for us to continue 

 the hunt upon the lines laid down by the late master's Will. 

 I — er " (here he produced a piece of p^per) " I propose that a 

 sum be collected and the country hunted by a committee." 

 The Major looked round for a seconder with a semi-trium- 

 phant expression. 



Jack Morgan rose and was greeted with the clapping of 

 hands, in which Lady Flora joined. 



" Before this proposition is seconded," he said, *' I think 



