TIPS AND TIPPERS 267 
acommoner. On more than one occasion I made 
objection to the taking of a tip which J thought 
the giver could not well afford. 
Probably I lost many a tip because I did not run 
after it, so to speak. This is the keeper's position: 
The last shot has been fired; the day is done. 
Some of the beaters, laden with game, trudge home- 
ward, or to the game-cart; others hurry to the 
‘house’ with cartridge-bags, their hurry being 
more in expectation of a shilling or two than for 
fear that the bag should be left behind. But the 
keeper, just now, is busy with the game, checking 
it, and trying to lessen the confusion which everyone 
else appears to be doing his best to increase. Should 
the keeper leave his responsible duties, and sidle 
his way to the sportsmen, with some excuse as to 
whether Mr. So-and-so’s gun is to be packed for 
an evening train, or where are to be deposited the 
hare and brace of birds for somebody else ?—often 
most unnecessary inquiries, but apt to sound like 
hints for atip. Or should he keep himself in the 
background, risk a scramble later on for gun-cases 
and game, and allow chances of tips to vanish? 
For there are sportsmen who think mainly of their 
own pleasure and comfort, though not unmindful of 
the keeper whilst he is before them. They are not 
necessarily mean men, grudging or unwilling, but— 
forgetful. 
To secure a tip, some keepers use every artifice 
