BILLY'S AMBITION 165 



deep-drawn sigh, as he closed his eyes. Two days 

 later the evening report was '' A good two hours' sleep, 

 and wishes to see you." I sat up with him for a 

 quarter of an hour, speaking what words I could to 

 soothe him and cheer him, and on leaving said, " I'll 

 come early to-morrow and sit with you for a long 

 time." Glancing back before leaving the room, I saw 

 a question in his eye, so, going back and bending 

 over him, he whispered, '* Do you mind — telling — me — 

 what was — wrong — with that — brown filly — you — sold 

 to — my brother — last year ? — It won't matter — now." 



• ••••• 



Nearly twelve months later, that is, in the first week 

 of the following April, Tom Telfer was holding up the 

 stiff" body of a brushless and headless hill fox prepara- 

 tory to tossing it to the clamouring hounds, when he 

 said, '* I wish Billy Kerr was here ; " and then, '' By 

 gum, here he comes, and his missus with him. Let's 

 wait till they come up." 



A radiant girl rode up in close attendance upon a 

 man whose clothes hung loose on him, and they were 

 received with undisguised joy. 



'' How are you, Billy, old man ? Mrs. Kerr, here's 

 to you ; real glad to see you," came from all in the 

 little group ; and from Tom Telfer, ^' Just nicked in 

 in time to see them tear him and eat him. Well 

 done, you ! " 



After the hundred tatters of brown were disposed 

 of, Billy said : " Right glad I am to be here, I can 

 assure you all, and right glad to see the end of 

 this good hunt. I shall now be able to say I have 

 not missed the season. I did not see much of the 

 hunt. Master, but I heard some of it. My word. 



