204 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



" You can't want all the road !" the driver exclaimed. 



" Pretty nearly, sir, in this narrow lane ; we've twenty- 

 eight couple and a half out." 



"You might trust to my driving." 



" Yes, sir," Ned replied with his accustomed civility, but 

 with the shadow of a smile. " But we don't like risking 

 nothing with hounds." 



Sorter drove on with a nod to the Major, not quite certain 

 in his mind what Ned had meant. 



" Beastly things those motors," the Major growled. " You 

 can cross these fields if you like," he added to Lavvy. 

 '* There's a gate over yonder which opens on the lane 

 again." 



Lavvy thanked him and he bundled along wrapped in 

 admiration of the roan pony (for he was little more) which 

 the girl bestrode. 



" You'll begin hunting soon, I suppose," he puffed, for the 

 pony was a fast walker. 



"I think Miss Badsworth will begin as soon as ever we 

 get some rain," Lavvy replied. She felt relieved; evidently 

 the Major didn't recognise her. 



" Plenty of foxes, I suppose ? " 



" A very good show, I hear." 



" Many young hounds ? " 



" Only four couples. Miss Badsworth will probably work 

 with a small pack." 



Lavvy pulled up her pony and pointed out the youngsters 

 to the Major, who had some difficulty in finding fault; then 

 she thanked him again, wished him good morning, passed 

 into the lane and jogged homewards. 



"Just seen the hounds," the Major said to his wife as he 

 helped himself to poached eggs and bacon and took his seat. 

 " They look well ; a pity they should be messed about by 

 womenfolk, they'll be as wild and riotous as the devil. 

 Can't quite make it out ; there was a decent gentlemanly 

 young chap with them ; he seemed to know more than I 

 should have expected. Don't know who he can be ; nice 



