MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 211 



translucent globes of moisture in their recesses — boding wet 

 legs for the partridge shooters by-and-by ; more than one 

 covey of those birds were in places running on the roads in 

 vain seeking a dusting place, or using the highway as the 

 best route to a favourite stubble ; here and there a laggard 

 with trailing wing called lustily to his more able-bodied 

 brethren in front. 



" Retrievers ain't what thev was ; them show benches is 

 the ruin of them and terriers," Diccox remarked; he was 

 used to talk to himself more freely than to others. 



A sweet fresh smell of soaked earth pervaded everything, 

 and increased as the sun broke through a cloud-bank on the 

 eastern horizon. The milkers were busy at the farms, and 

 carters clattered methodically about as those whose business 

 needs no hurry. 



The shrill cry of a jay broke the stillness at Clinkern 

 Wood when eventually Alf coupled his terriers and passed 

 along the lower side. 



" Easier to come down than go up by-and-by," he thought, 

 and then proceeded upwards to a post of vantage in the 

 wood itself from whence a view of the proceedings could be 

 obtained. Seated on a stump he produced a hunch of bread 

 and cheese from his pocket and whiled away the time with 

 its consumption, watched by the ubiquitous robin with its 

 bead-like eye from a branch hard by. There was no wind to 

 stir the hazel leaves browned on their edges by the summer 

 heat, and nothing broke the stillness but the occasional 

 " shute, shute, shute" of a blackbird, who, finding himself 

 suddenly face to face with a human being, made a quick 

 turn in his flight, and speedy exit. 



Before long a horse blew out his nose somewhere down 

 below, and the sound seemed close at hand though a quarter 

 of a mile away. 



A young farmer on a young horse, and someone's servant 

 on another, were coming up a bridle road ; another horseman 

 was visible farther on. Then came the sound of horses 

 trotting on the road, and Alf could soon see red coats, a lady 



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