A NOVEL 'GET UP.' 239 



I was at first struck with his lordship's 'get-up.' He 

 was dressed in a light suit of clothes, and trousers 

 that came no lower than his knees, leaving his legs 

 bare to his boots, into which his socks, if he had any 

 on, must have disappeared. I never saw the like of 

 the dress before or after ; yet I am not sure that it is 

 not a good one for its special purpose. For in walking 

 after rain or heavy dew through high turnips and 

 rape or clover-heads, you might as well be walking 

 through a river so far as the use of any description of 

 leggings may serve to keep out the wet. 



His lordship was a fair shot, and walked well for 

 his age, which was then about sixty. The first part- 

 ridge that got up between us, I left to his lordship ; 

 but before he could shoot, to my utter astonishment, 

 the keeper fired and killed it. This was repeated 

 several times, until I could hold my tongue no 

 longer. 



' My lord,' I said, ' if I had a keeper, he would not 

 do such a thing a second time.' 



' Oh,' was the reply, ' he is a spoiled old servant, 

 who has lived many years with Sir Charles, and is 

 allowed to do pretty much as he likes.' 



We had a good clay's sport, and before parting his 

 lordship said : 



' William, Sir Charles does not care about the 

 shooting, and is not going to keep the house another 

 year ; so, if you like, you and your friends may come 

 whenever you please. The keeper won't interfere 



