Ii6 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



'• And had no difficulty in getting round him ? He is a 

 nice old chap is Summers. How did you manage it ? " 



Lavvy laughed. " How did Delilah get round Samson ? " 

 she asked. 



" But his hair is so short already," Jack objected. 



"I don't think, Mr. Morgan, you should be so frivolous," 

 with mock gravity. 



" Excuse me, you introduced the scriptural parallel." 



" I expect that there is little that Summers doesn't know 

 about hounds and hunting, but, thanks to dad's tips, I knew 

 enough not to ask foolish questions. I borrowed a kennel 

 coat, Mr. Morgan, and I have an idea that in his astonish- 

 ment the old man forgot to be critical." 



Jack laughed aloud. " You will do first-rate, Miss Bads- 

 worth," he exclaimed. 



" Because I wore a kennel coat ? You forget the exercis- 

 ing, the cub-hunting, and all the preliminary learning of the 

 country and coverts." 



** No, I don't ; but I will tell you what, Miss Badsworth, 

 I know every yard, and if I can be of any service " 



" Thanks ; it's very good of you," Lavvy said, interrupting 

 his transparent enthusiasm. " You see as master, or rather 

 mistress, Aunt Lavinia will no doubt be glad of your escort." 



" Yes-s, to be sure," Jack replied in a somewhat altered 

 tone. " She will, of course, want to know something of the 

 country to be drawn and the various fixtures, but only the 

 huntsman will require to know the shape of the coverts, and 

 how and where to get away. We will go round with your 

 aunt to see the farmers and landowners." 



It was Lavvy's turn to laugh, but any immediate reply 

 was obviated by Jack's cob deciding that a roll upon the 

 grass would be beneficial. To save the saddle-tree a dash 

 had to be made to frustrate the attempt. Miss Lavvy rose 

 too, and no doubt that was why Jack Morgan jobbed the 

 cob's mouth. 



<*You have only to command me at any time," he re- 

 marked with outstretched hand, seeing that the young lady 



