A Sportsman at Large 31 



It was winter time, and George was wearing a red worsted 

 muffler. He just missed the mark, whereupon I decided to 

 take no further risks, so seized him by the flaming " com- 

 forter " and proceeded to do my best to choke the life out of 

 him. He was rescued just in time by the headmaster's wife. 

 They put me in Coventry for three days for this lapse of 

 sportsmanship. I richly deserved it, but Roberts was of a 

 forgiving nature, and was the first to plead for my return 

 to general companionship and conviviality. I was really fond 

 of this little lad, and cried myself to sleep when he departed 

 from the school. 



My first fight and my first unrelated friend. 



After a time I became a boarder at Totteridge ; but was 

 permitted to spend the week-ends at dear, beloved Moat 

 Mount. Though Irwin was only my half-brother, I had two 

 full sisters, Ada and Florence ; whilst another, Alicia, whom 

 I cannot recall, fell a victim to diphtheria when only nine years 

 of age, poor little soul ! 



Ada (who was nine years my senior) at that time did not 

 favour me with much of her society. I think she was too 

 busy looking for "a soul's mate ; " but Florrie, on the con- 

 trary, was a real pal. She, too, was much older than myself, 

 and of a highly religious turn of mind. She would accompany 

 me fishing, bird-nesting, butterfly-collecting and what not. 



Both girls were keen ornithologists, and it was they who 

 taught me the art of rearing callow fledglings from the nest 

 to maturity. 



I was about twelve years old when we lost Florrie, through 

 some mysterious renal trouble. 



I was utterly disconsolate ! 



They took me to her funeral, and this so depressed me that 

 the memory of the mummery haunted me day and night for 

 many months. I then and there took unto myself an oath, 

 never to attend another funeral unless and until forced to do 

 so, owing to circumstances over which I have no control 

 and then it should be as principal . . . feet first ! 



Shortly after this, my first great grief, I was transferred 

 to Elstree School, which was situated about three miles from 

 Moat Mount. Here again, I was allowed an "exeat " every 



