78 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



reason for the terms of the bequest which the late Squire 



made." 



Both Grimes and Hibbert metaphorically peered out from 



behind their defences. 



" When an estate has been managed for many years as 

 this estate has been managed a change of any sort is bad 

 enough ; people get used to one another and one another's 

 ways ; but when such a change takes place as that which 

 occurs now I can easily understand that serious misgivings 

 must enter people's minds — in fact, I feel them myself. I 

 don't scruple to say that the chief difficulty in my case con- 

 sists in dealing with the Cranston Hunt, which I believe has 

 been carried on for nearly half a century to the satisfaction 

 of the majority by the late master and my father before 

 him." 



" Every one, unless it might be Major Creswell, and he 

 never was pleased with nothing, if I might make so bold, 

 ma'am," Summers remarked. 



''Very well; but that, you must understand, makes it all 

 the worse for me, for I confess I have everything to learn." 



"And there's a deal to be learnt, ma'am," Summers said 

 sympathetically. '' Man and boy, I've been at it fifty-five 

 years, and there's something to learn yet." 



" I've no doubt of it ; but you must please to recollect it's 

 through no fault of mine, for I cannot help myself. Well, 

 such being the case, I have got to consider how it is all to be 

 done. I shall want help — not time-service, but hearty co- 

 operation. I don't wish any one to remain in my service 

 who thinks he can do better elsewhere, but I confess I 

 should like to have around me those who were in my dear 

 brother's emplo}^ and who would, in consequence, be con- 

 versant with the place and its requirements. I want two 

 things — first, hearty co-operation, as I have said, and second, 

 that those I employ should hold their tongues." 



Miss Badsworth leant back in her chair and surveyed her 

 audience. It was a very different one from that which she 

 was accustomed to address, but it struck her, though she 



