268 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



account a really immense sum but had no tenable 

 defence, and paid it. 



It is wonderful that he lived as long as he did. Haif- 

 a-day with him more than sufficed for an ordinary being 

 like myself, and whenever I went to Avery Hill it was 

 on a Sunday morning. There you would always find a 

 big gathering Mrs North used to complain that she 

 never knew within twenty how many were coming to 

 luncheon and dinner. You would be ushered straight 

 into the billiard-room and provided with whisky and 

 soda, as a matter of course. It was well to take a long 

 time in drinking the first one, for empty glasses were at 

 once replenished. Luncheon came, and then you drank 

 champagne, with such discretion as was possible in 

 trying circumstances. After that, to the billiard-room 

 again, and more whisky and soda. Then, perhaps, half- 

 an-hour outside to see the stud. By that time there 

 would be fifty or sixty guests, and among them John 

 Roberts was always a welcome visitor. On return to 

 the house the billiard-room would again be visited, with 

 its concomitants of whisky and soda, and for the special 

 delectation of those present Colonel North would play 

 exhibition matches against John Roberts, who conceded 

 him 75 in 100. The Colonel almost invariably won, 

 for Roberts showed the most astounding skill in missing 

 strokes by the merest hair's-breadth. I remember 

 wondering why or how this came about, until I once 

 came upon them in the corridor outside, and Roberts 

 was saying : " You must let me send you another slate 

 bed for this table, Colonel North. I can assure you 

 this one put me right off my game ! " 



" But," replied the Colonel, " I had a new one only 

 six months ago." 



