BOOKS AND PIGEONS. 151 



had assembled the previous year, were gathered 

 together in the parlour of the Fox and Hounds. 



Poor little Kitty had evidently been having a 

 rough time of it, for her father had been talking 

 to her on the subject of Capper's claims, in the 

 reverse of an amiable fashion, and her eyes were 

 red, the twitching of her lips giving additional 

 evidence of the reason why. 



Stubson was in his usual corner, declaring 

 for Star of the West, and abusing Primrose. 



" He can't gallop no faster than a — ■ — " 

 Again the old farmer was aground for a simile, a 

 difficulty which he got over in his accustomed 

 style. 



Suddenly the sound of a horse's feet gallop- 

 ing on the grass by the roadside struck the 

 ears of the assembled company, and little Garrett 

 was up in a moment to see what had happened 

 and who was coming. 



" Why, it's young Mr. Swaynton ! Here he 

 comes," he exclaimed, as Swaynton pulled up at 

 the door and handed his mount to the care of 

 the ostler who clumped round from the stable- 

 yard. 



*' I thought perhaps you would have gone to 

 the Cross Roads to-day, sir," Butters said. " It's 

 too far for me." 



"No, I have not been hunting to-day. I've 



