MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 123 



" I wish Mr. Charles had been put on to the job ; he's a 

 sportsman and no mistake — just like the poor master," 

 Summers said reflectively. 



" But he wasn't; that's just where the pinch comes, 

 Summers. What we have to do is the best we can." 



" I ain't denying that the young lady's a chip of the right 

 block, and I wouldn't have believed it was in womankind to 

 act like it, but for all that hounds is hounds, and won't stand 

 messing about." 



There was no gainsaying so patent a fact, so Jack Morgan 

 took a new departure. 



"What are you going to do for a second whip?" he 

 asked. 



Summers removed his hat and stroked his silvery hair. 



" I don't know what Miss Badsworth may have done," he 

 said. 



*' How should I do, Summers? You see it's like this," 

 Jack went on, seeing a doubtful look in the old man's face, 

 " there will be a deal of talk in the neighbourhood, and some 

 trying to pump out the truth. Ned can hold his tongue, so 

 can I. Do you think I could manage the job ? " 



The sun was hot, and Jack Morgan and his companion 

 walked back into the shadow of one of the buildings. 



" I think if any one could larn it off-hand you could, Mr. 

 Morgan ; that is if you could stick to business." 



" How do you mean ? " 



Summers looked the younger man up and down with 

 something approaching a twinkle in his shrewd grey eyes, 

 and paused before he said : — 



'' If you was to whip-in, you'd have to whip-in ; you'd be 

 left to bring on tail hounds if so be there were any, and that 

 will depend on the young lady, whether she goes without 

 'em or whether she stops to get 'em away ; they soon learns 

 not to hurry if you wait for 'em." 



Again he looked Jack up and down. " Better have a ser- 

 vant who's used to it, Mr. Morgan. Ned's a smart lad, and 

 as first whip he could handle 'em if needs be. If you went 



