ii4 ARDENMOHR. 



" Gracious ! what a privation for Parliament to 

 lose all this ! " the Major said; "and the sportsmanlike 

 manner in which Ward snap-shoots at every ques- 

 tion, while Abbott quietly aims ahead at passing 

 events !" 



" But we have lagged little," said Ward, laughing; 

 " and, apropos of your simile, do you shoot in front, 

 or direct, at game ?" 



"When I think what I'm about, I do allow for 

 long shots ; but as often forget and miss." 



" Then you think it proper to aim well forward ? " 



" Undoubtedly : all perfect shots do so at times. 

 Yet many really fair shots fire direct at far and 

 near birds." 



" I suppose there are but few perfect shots, quick 

 yet calculating?" 



" Such as Mr, St. John or Captain Boss, you 



mean." 



" Were they so good ?" 



" Wonderful, I am told ; a glance at a woodcock, 

 or a rabbit in thickest cover, or a right and left at 

 rock-pigeons going overhead nothing escaped them." 



" Might not one's interest be spoilt by such per- 

 fection ? " 



" I dare say a pheasant-drive or a Norfolk turnip- 



