156 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



" It is some time since I have ridden/' she said in the 

 tone of one whose mind is not made up. 



*' Like swimming, one doesn't forget how to do it," Lavvy 

 replied reassuringly. " I hope you won't object to an early 

 start ; to-morrow the puppy show is held, so it will be a 

 busy day." 



"A puppy show! " Mrs. Dickinson exclaimed, sitting up 

 in her chair. " What is that ? " 



" Very like a baby show ; you have those in London, 

 don't you ? Only in this case the judges select the best 

 puppies that come in from walk." 



" Surely the judges would be better occupied in administer- 

 ing the law," Mrs. Dickinson said, suddenly struck with a 

 hazy recollection of her mission to reclaim Miss Badsworth, 

 who was now judiciously occupied at her writing-table, from 

 the frivolous line of country life she had taken. 



Lavvy laughed softly, and no one could be angry with her 

 when she laughed. 



" It is just as if you sent a number of children for country 

 holidays, you do sometimes, do you not ? " (Mrs. Dickin- 

 son took no part in such practical affairs) '* and mustered 

 them on their return and appointed judges to decide which 

 had been best looked after. Come and ride with me at half- 

 past five to-morrow morning and then you will understand 

 more about it." 



" Half-past five in the morning ! " Mrs. Dickinson ex- 

 claimed. She had supposed that country people passed 

 much of their time in bed for want of something better to do. 



Lavvy nodded. '' The days are very hot, we have to take 

 advantage of the early morning." 



With overnight courage, which fails to take in all the 

 elements of danger, Mrs. Dickinson acquiesced and Lavvy 

 bore her triumphantly away. 



" If you take my advice, you won't burn the candle at 

 both ends," she said ; and so Miss Badsworth, relieved of 

 all responsibility, was left to the entertainment of her male 

 guests in peace. 



