MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 79 



would hardly have acknowledged the fact in so many words, 

 that there was a reality in her case now which occasionally 

 had been foreign to the matter in hand. 



The trio of dependants probably hardly knew what they 

 expected to hear. All kinds of rumours as to Miss Bads- 

 worth and her doings had been buzzing around. That she 

 was a real lady was the impression that struck them all. 



Summers slightly shifted his position. 



" I'm an old man, ma'am," he said with an upward 

 sweep of his hand towards his forehead, "but the job before 

 you, from all I hear, is a difficult one. I've seen hounds for 

 years and I know what they are ; if they seem different now 

 to what they used to be, I can't help thinking 'tis mostly 

 because I knows more about them. If it's not makin' bold 

 to say so, I'd like to see you through the job." 



*' Well, that's very nice of you, Summers, I'll try and learn 

 what I can, but I am not as young as I was." 



" To be sure, ma'am, that's true, no doubt, but it's never 

 too late to learn — something." 



Miss Badsworth laughed, it was the doubting cadence of 

 the voice which tickled her. 



Hibbert and the bailiff cast their previous opinions to the 

 winds, possibly each thought there would be pickings, but 

 what they said was genuine enough — if Miss Badsworth 

 would give them the chance they would do their best, or 

 words to that effect. 



Miss Badsworth wrote a few words in her note-book. 



''Then that is settled," she said as she closed it. "I 

 confess I am glad to work with those who know the place, 

 but be good enough to remember that I am not to be con- 

 tinually told 'what always was done,' unless I ask. Now, 

 Summers, I should like to visit your wife, if she is at home." 



" She's different from what I expected," Hibbert said, 

 when he and the bailiff were left alone, to which the latter 

 replied, " That she is, and no mistake ". 



" I've an idea she will look into things," Grimes added, as 

 they passed beyond the cottage garden gate ; " there's some- 



