AFTER THE CUBS. 29 



it is the effect of the sun itself or the thought 

 of what it means to the backward harvest, I 

 cannot tell, but the farmers' faces do certainly 

 appear to brighten. Even our friend in piuk 

 seems happier, and he feels sufficiently at ease to 

 ask a question. 



'' Do you know how many brace of do — 

 hounds are out this morning?" he inquires of 

 the commodore ; but before his curiosity can be 

 satisfied, some one has ridden by and caused his 

 horse to move. An earnest " Whoa, can't you, 

 then!" follows, and his steed occupies all his 

 attention. 



Charlie's voice and an occasional note from 

 a hound come from inside the cover. Outside, 

 doings with the partridges and prospects of the 

 pheasants — a gorgeous cock has just flown over 

 our heads and started the conversation — are 

 being discussed, while one of the late comers, a 

 local humourist, seeks for an opportunity of 

 retailing his newest anecdote, 



"Did you hear what Eyves said to Barker? 

 It's a capital story ! You know Eyves' barley 

 in that field by the Priory Farm is very poor 

 this year — thin, no growth about it ; and Barker 

 was driving past in his cart just as Eyves came 

 along the other side of the hedge. ' You haven't 

 got much of a show up here ? ' Barker said. 



