226 SPORTING REM1NISCENCP:S 



cavalry rode down on them, and he hanked the 

 reUgious lady out of danger. 



For all her anxiety, Biddy stood back with a 

 shriek. 



I was at Punchestown the year that King 

 Edward was over. 



The royalties slipped off rather quietly, just a 

 few people lining up to see them leave the vice- 

 regal stand. 



Behind me were two well-dressed elderly women, 

 with sour expressions and complete Dublin accents. 



The Queen looking lovely, passed down, the 

 King strolling along in front, burly and impressive. 



" There now ! I suppose those are some of the 

 smart set," said one lady acidly. "A queer lot. 

 I wouldn't care to be in with them. Miss Han- 

 ratty, I declare I would not." 



When Lord Dudley was Viceroy he came down 

 here to hunt, and had various local celebrities pre- 

 sented to him, among them a well-known little 

 padre, a particularly amusing little man. 



But spoken to about grave things he remained 

 almost mute, with a doleful " Yes, Your Excel- 

 lency," " No, Your Excellency." 



Someone had said the priest sang. Lord Dudley 

 tried that subject, wondering why he had been 

 introduced. 



The little padre suddenly brightened up ; he 

 lost his dull look and leant forward, woken up at 

 last. 



