THE POOR FLY-DRIVERS ARE UP SO LATE AT NIGHTS, THAT THEY ARE GLAD TO GET A NAP WHEN THEY CAN. THIS IS NOT TO BE WONDERED AT, BUT IT IS NOT LIKELY TO ADD TO THE REPOSE EITHER OF OLD MRS. DUMBLEDORE OR OF OLD MRS. BLOWHARD, WHO ARE OUT FOR AN AIRING.] [Illustration: "_WELL, THEY MAY CALL THIS A HEALTH-GIVING PURSUIT, IF THEY LIKE: BUT GIVE ME ROACH-FISHING IN A PUNT._"] [Illustration: _SOMETHING THE MATTER WITH THE KITCHEN BOILER._ (_Affectionately dedicated to_ PATERFAMILIAS, _whoever he might be_.)] [Illustration: _FORTUNE-TELLING.--A SCENE OF DOMESTIC INTEREST._] MR. TOM NODDY'S FIRST DAY WITH THE HOUNDS. [Illustration: No. I. _Groom._ "YOU'LL FIND THE MARE IN RARE FETTLE, SIR. SHE'S UNCOMMON FRESH TO BE SURE!"] [Illustration: No. II. SO FRESH THAT SHE WON'T LET T. N. MOUNT FOR EVER SO LONG, AND WHEN SHE DOES] [Illustration: No. III. ALLOW HIM, PUTS UP HER BACK IN THE MOST OMINOUS MANNER.] [Illustration: No. IV. SHE SHIES AT A WHEELBARROW--A THING SHE NEVER DID BEFORE. (T. N. DROPS HIS WHIP.) AFTER SOME] [Illustration: No. V. TROUBLE IN OPENING A GATE.] [Illustration: No. VI. (T. N. DROPS HIS WHIP AGAIN, BY-THE-BY.)] [Illustration: No. VII. HE GETS UPON A NICE PIECE OF TURF.] [Illustration: No. VIII. THE MARE ENJOYS HERSELF AMAZINGLY.] [Illustration: No. IX. ARRIVED AT THE MEET, LITTLE TOM NODDY THINKS HE WILL HAVE A QUIET WEED; BUT AT THIS MOMENT] [Illustration: No. X. THE HOUNDS MOVE FOR THE COVER, AND THE MARE BECOMES FULL OF PLAY AGAIN.] [Illustration: NO. XI. HAVING PICKED HIMSELF UP, TOGETHER WITH HIS WHIP AND CIGAR, T. N. JOGS ON WITH THE REST OF THE FIELD. AS THEY PASS BY SOME TURNIPS, TO THE DELIGHT OF EVERYBODY, A FOX GETS UP. THE MARE, WHO HAD BECOME ALMOST STEADY, IS AGAIN EXCITED, AND RUSHES WILDLY AHEAD, AMIDST THE EXECRATIONS OF THE HUNT, AND LOUD CRIES OF "HOLD HARD!" WHICH T. N. MISTAKES FOR ANXIETY ON HIS ACCOUNT; AND GRASPING THE POMMEL OF HIS SADDLE WITH BOTH HANDS, ABANDONS HIMSELF TO CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH, CONSIDERING THERE IS A FLIGHT OF HURDLES BEFORE HIM, ARE NOT VERY FAVOURABLE.] [Illustration: No. XII. FORTUNATELY FOR TOM NODDY, HOWEVER, THE MARE SWERVES AT THE HURDLES, AND WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DROPPING HIS WHIP AGAIN, HE MEETS WITH NO GREAT INCONVENIENCE] [Illustration: No. XIII. BUT COMING TO THE FIRST FENCE, THE PLAYFUL CREATURE GOES AT IT LIKE A SHOT OUT OF A GUN;] [Illustration: No. XIV. AND T. N. FINDS THAT THERE IS STILL A GOOD DEAL OF SNOW IN SOME OF THE DITCHES.] [Illustration: No. XV. THE MARE EXTRICATES HERSELF FROM THE DIFFICULTY SOONER THAN OUR LITTLE FRIEND, AND GETTING AWAY FROM HIM, TAKES A LINE OF HER OWN.] [Illustration: No. XVI. T. N. FINDS RUNNING AFTER HIS QUADRUPED VERY LABORIOUS. HE RESTS HIMSELF ON A STILE, AND HAS ANOTHER QUIET WEED.] [Illustration: No. XVII.