122 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



"Well, she did and she didn't ; not what you mean, sir." 



*' How's that Summers ? It sounds odd." 



*' Lor', and it is odd. I've been along of hounds for years 

 and it's the oddest thing I've met yet ; but I daresay you 

 knows, Mr. Morgan." 



" It depends on what you allude to. I know Miss Bads- 

 worth has got to handle them by-and-by." 



" Do you know which ? " Joe ventured, after looking care- 

 fully round. 



Jack failed to preserve his gravity. " I can make a guess," 

 he said. " How does she shape ? " 



Joe Summers walked in silence till he was at some dis- 

 tance from the buildings, then he stopped and turned to his 

 companion. 



" She've less to learn than some." 



" Well, that's a good hearing." 



" 'Tis ; she came down a few miOrnings ago for the first 

 time, put on a kennel coat and went over the lot, and drafted 

 a pack for the far side of the country when I told her 'twas 

 bad scenting betimes. She tells me she's whipped-in for 

 several seasons, and harriers is a good school. Hounds 

 takes wonderful to her ; she's got the right way with 'em. 

 She's here at seven regular as the clock ; but of course I tell 

 her foxhounds ain't harriers." 



" Miss Badsworth will be pretty quick, Summers; and she 

 goes first-rate in a country all banks and walls, I've seen 

 her kill her fox, too ! " 



" You have, Mr. Morgan ! " 



Jack gave a graphic account of his day in Cornwall, and 

 Summers listened attentively. 



'' Of course there was nothing to stop 'em," he remarked 

 meditatively. 



" Nothing but heather and bogs and pits and holes. I 

 give you my word I would sooner cross this country any 

 day ; you do know what you are about. I can tell you you 

 have got to keep your eyes open down there, though it looks 

 plain sailing enough." 



