The Game Itself 337 



himself, but the four or five others whom he left behind 

 are wretched. So much to heart has one of them taken 

 his defeat that he declares " if he carn't buy something to 

 beat Blackhorse he will never come hunting again." On 

 the way home there is little to talk about ; only the horse- 

 dealer seems able to keep his tongue going. Home at 

 last, our horse has a pail of warm oatmeal gruel, which we 

 give him with our own hands. We see him done up for 

 the night to our liking before we hasten in to dress for the 

 dinner the Master is giving at the club in honour of the 

 huntsman, whose birthday it is, and some other visiting 

 knights of the pigskin. We must not miss it, for it is sure 

 to hold something good in store. 



