100 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



if to one both competent to judge and whose remarks 

 were frequently worthy of acceptation. It took no per- 

 suasion to induce the old man to have the lot out in the 

 paddock. 



" I should like to see whether I could pick some of them 

 out by name," Lavvy had said when the inspection of both 

 packs upon the flags was over ; so Ned Barlow was sum- 

 moned, and one by one the forty couples (the late master 

 had always kept enough for three days a week) were called 

 forth and gathered in the paddock. 



"What sort of country is it? " Lavvy asked when they 

 had walked slowly about discussing merits. 



Summers leaned against the railings and took up his 

 parable. 



" It's like most other places, ma'am, there's good scenting 

 and bad scenting. This side it's mostly good, and scent 

 for the most part holds well, but over Ashley way it's light 

 land and apt to be catchy or worse." He launched into 

 reminiscences, and Lavvy stood and listened, looking at the 

 hounds strolling around or rolling on the grass the while. 



*' Now, I'll draft a pack for the Ashley side," she said 

 presently, during a pause. 



Summers laughed, actually laughed, but silently. 



** You call them through that gate as I name them or 

 point them out," Lavvy said. 



"A pretty mess you'll make of it," Summers thought; 

 however he opened the gate and waited whilst the girl 

 walked slowly around making her choice. 



"Wayward," she called to him, and he surreptitiously 

 slapped his thigh as he repeated the name. 



" Launcelot, Sempstress, the badger-pied hound on the 

 outside " 



"Wary," Summers said. 



" Well, Wary ; my old friend Rollicker ; is it Waverer or 

 Wayfarer that black and tan yonder ? " 



" Waverer," Summers replied. 



When eight couples had been drafted, Lavvy walked to 



