THE UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL. 219 



you ?^ cries he ; ' youVe nearly killed two couples 

 of hounds/ — ' How could I help it/ said I ; ^ why 

 didn't they get out of the way ? I could not stop 

 my horse in a minute, could I ? ' ^ If you can^t 

 ride, what business have you with hounds ? I 

 wish you'd broke your neck/ said the same man. 

 — ^You're no gentleman/ said I ; '^ I can see that.' 

 ^ I can see you're a fool/ said he, turning away ; 

 but I did not let him off so easy, but rode up to 

 him. ^I'll never hunt with you again,' said I, 

 ' depend on that ; I'll go with another pack. I 

 tell you that.' I thought he looked a little mor- 

 tified, but I suppose he wasn't." 



"Why," said I, "what did he say?" 



" Said, a blackguard ; why, he said I might go 

 to h if I hked." 



We could not help aU three laughing immo- 

 derately at Jessamy's day's sport and its finale. 

 In this he joined, probably conceiving the Master 

 had come off second best in their verbal encounter. 



" The grey looks drawn a little fine," said I, 

 " for so early in the season." 



" Oh ! " said Jessy, " he's in regular training, I 

 can tell you. I have another in as fine condition 

 as him. I have taken lodgings for the winter at 

 Croydon, to be near the Downs. I gallop them 

 twice every day, and didn't I give grey a sweater 

 yesterday." 



