18 KINGSCLERE 



careful method of management. He was an 

 excellent trainer, and had been a good servant to 

 Sir Joseph Hawley, who thought highly of him. 

 His long illness had prevented him from giving his 

 personal attention to the work he had previously 

 seen to, and the place had consequently fallen into 

 disorder. The Baronet and ' the boy ' talked matters 

 over, and the latter, convincing Sir Joseph that he 

 could properly manage the establishment and train 

 the horses, an engagement was entered into there 

 and then. In shaking hands with Porter, who had 

 already planned in his own mind a radical system of 

 reform, Sir Joseph said, 'In a week or ten days I 

 will run down again, and see how you are getting 

 on.' The new broom went to work, but not un- 

 impeded. The head lad, who remained in the 

 stable, ' put his back up,' and had to be told that if 

 he wished to retain his situation he must simply 

 obey orders. There was only going to be one 

 master there. Sir Joseph Hawley paid the promised 

 visit within the time that had been named, and, 

 after going over the place and silently noticing, not 

 only the general cleanliness and tidiness of the 

 entire establishment, but also certain alterations 

 which the young trainer had already introduced, 

 said, ' Well, I think you'll do.' In the meantime 

 Porter had taken unto himself a wife. The young 

 couple took up their abode in the house at Cannon 

 Heath in which Mrs. Manning, the widow of the 

 former trainer, by the kindness of the Baronet, yet 

 had temporary quarters. 



