240 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



never had much to squander, but the only money I have 

 ever grudged has been paid away in lawyers' fees. Bounce ? 

 Well, there is something in it with a man like Victor, who 

 is an unmitigated ass, but not so great a one as Hugo was. 

 Do you know anything of that man Majendie ? " he went on. 



Jack was reminded of a similar question put to him in a 

 certain green lane by a girl in a sailor hat and patent habit. 

 He smiled to himself at the thought, and forgot to make 

 answer until Mr. Badsworth repeated the question. 



" Not much,'' he then replied — " personally, that is ; but 

 Rogers, who was formerly butler here and now is landlord 

 of the Crown and Cushion at Allington, told me the other 

 day that he is going, so he says, to hunt the hounds for 

 Victor Bickersdyke, for the consideration of five hundred 

 pounds per annum and all found, when Miss Badsworth 

 gives up." 



" The devil he is ! Damn him ! " 



" I fancy that is why he is always trying to interfere." 



There was a long pause, during which each man thought 

 his own thoughts. Presently Morgan rose to go. " We 

 shall soon know the ropes, sir, now," he said, putting his 

 hand on the back of the curious oak chair in which he had 

 so often seen Hugo Badsworth seated at his writing table. 

 It was owing to no reminiscence of that sort that Jack's hand 

 now rested lightly on the carved back with something akin to 

 reverence in its touch ; it was because he had once seen a 

 curly head leaning back against it whilst perplexed eyes 

 surveyed the bookcase opposite, and he was under the im- 

 pression that that had not been the only occasion. 



" With your permission, sir, I shall bounce when I see an 

 opportunity," he said. 



" So do," Charles Badsworth replied laughing. " At all 

 events I will bounce that Majendie chap into his proper 

 place whilst I'm here, that's to say if he hasn't got over the 

 last occasion ; I won't have my little girl interfered with. 

 What an infernal fool Hugo was ! " 



