MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 127 



late master of the Cranston hounds. There was no pair 

 in particular which attracted special attention, though a 

 goodly rip on one, caused by the latch of a swinging gate, 

 was sufBcient to raise paeans of gratitude that matters had 

 been no worse. No, the boots taken generally roused his 

 indignation, for they would associate themselves with 

 Lavvy. 



One naturally has prejudices, and Jack was no exception. 

 Most of us are fond of our prejudices, and some go so far 

 as to call them by pretty names, strength of character, for 

 instance, and such like. Liberals declare that Conservatism 

 and prejudice are synonymous ; Conservatives could retort 

 if they took the trouble, but as a rule they do not. It is 

 an attribute of human nature to be suspicious of things to 

 which it is not used. Jack Morgan sought in vain for pre- 

 cedents. Joan of Arc is said to have worn manly accoutre- 

 ments. Good Queen Bess had bestridden a horse, but, 

 unfortunately, these good people had lived so long ago that 

 such instances were not fresh in people's memories. King 

 Darius did not labour more assiduously to deliver the prophet 

 from the lions than Jack Morgan did to devise a plan which 

 should free Miss Lavinia Badsworth the younger (he didn't 

 care so much about her aunt) from certain matters with 

 which she had good-naturedly bound herself; but like the 

 laws of the Medes and Persians the codicil to Hugo Bads- 

 worth's Will altered not. Why King Darius if he made one 

 silly decree should not have made another displaying more 

 wisdom and less vanity, instead of sitting up all night in 

 the sulks, is a mystery. Why, if he had power afterwards 

 to cast the whole lot of Daniel's accusers with their heirs 

 and assigns into the lions' den, didn't he do so beforehand 

 when he saw their little game ? But that, of course, is 

 another consideration. 



Jack Morgan, as has been said, made aspersive remarks 

 regarding the late Hugo Badsworth ; he was powerless, and 

 it is the part of the weak and powerless to be abusive. 



It ended by his folding the promised red coat in a neat 



