MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. i8i 



It — I was mistaken. There are things which belong to men 

 and men only ; theoretically they may have no existence, but 

 practically they are evident enough. My brother was per- 

 fectly right in what he said, but I heartily wish he had not 

 seen fit to give me such plain proof of his words. What 

 would you do, for instance, with forty acres of hay ? " 



Mrs. Dickinson paused before she replied. 



" I think I should leave such things to the bailiff." 



"There you are, you see; he is a man, and knows all 

 about the work. I do not think one can learn about hay 

 out of books. Haymaking is a matter of experience — it 

 mustn't be too green and it mustn't be too dry, so they tell 

 me ; and like your remarks just now, anything one says is 

 apt to prove one's ignorance." 



'* I feel sure that / said nothing which displayed ignor- 

 ance," Mrs. Dickinson retorted. " I am disappointed, sadly 

 disappointed with you. Miss Badsworth." 



Miss Badsworth's customary good-humour was fast waning. 



" Please recollect," she said, *' I did not ask you to come. 

 You fail to understand the circumstances of my case ; we 

 had better not quarrel. I will order the brougham in time 

 for the four o'clock train. Good-bye." 



Mrs. Dickinson was so taken aback that she shook her 

 hostess' proffered hand mechanically, and words failed her 

 as that lady disappeared into the house. 



** Lavvy," Miss Badsworth said, when she had found 

 her niece already clad in her riding habit, one of the patents, 

 " I cannot put up with Mrs. Dickinson any longer. I 

 have ordered the brougham at half-past three ; would you 

 mind " 



" Seeing her clear of the house, auntie ? Not a bit. It 

 will be easier for me to do, for she and I are not mixed up 

 in any projects. Go and have a ride round the Upper Cow- 

 leaze, you will be all the better for it. Auntie, you make a 

 splendid chairman or chairwoman, I don't wonder they want 

 you up in town. I have done nothing but envy you all the 

 luncheon time." 



