220 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



"What I saw," Jack went on, " was a wonderfully steady 

 pack of hounds as keen as mustard, and a huntsman or 

 huntswoman who kept her head, and knew what to do, 

 which would have surprised me if I hadn't seen something 

 like it before." 



" Now you mention it, the hounds were steady, there was 

 very little riot, but I fancy the young lady will potter a bit 

 when it comes to the open." 



" You seem observant ; did you happen to notice how 

 hounds got to their huntsman, and how they came away 

 from the covert with her, or were you too busy trying to 

 ride them off the line ? " 



" Ride them off the line ? What do you mean ? " 



" If there had been a man handling the horn you wouldn't 

 have had to ask or dared to do it ; you mobbed the lady 

 whenever you could, just because she couldn't or wouldn't 

 swear at you. I just mention it, for Miss Badsworth, the 

 master, is as likely as not to send the hounds home under 

 such circumstances, even if the King himself were out." 



" My dear fellow, I only wanted to be handy in case help 

 or advice was wanted," Majendie replied apologetically. 



" Well, take my advice. Ned and Bill Sheppard can give 

 what help is wanted, and as for your advice you may spare 

 yourself the trouble. I have seen Miss Badsworth handle 

 her fox after forty minutes in the damndest country man or 

 woman ever rode over." 



" The deuce you have ? I thought she was a beginner. 

 Did she let them worry him without taking him away so 

 as to break him up properly ? " 



" No," Jack replied, with the memory of the scene on the 

 Cornish moor before his mind's eye, " she didn't ; but then 

 there were no puppies joining in. Perhaps it doesn't occur 

 to you would-bes that if puppies get chided and knocked about 

 in the scrimmage the timid ones think they've done wrong." 



" Would-bes ! What do you mean ? " 



" Would-be masters or huntsmen ! " Jack opened the gate 

 at Newnton as he replied. 



