"By Jove! next year," he said, "I'll clear out the whole boiling, whether the mater likes it or no, and have some of the people we met at Harley. Thornhirst is the only man who has killed anything great, though Wakely and Bush did a fair share." I told him how dreadful I thought the accident had been. "Good thing it was not me he shot," said Augustus. "I'd have fired back. But the part I mind the most is the miserable bag. Wilks is mad. We both wanted the record to go to the field; and what can we do? Only thirty-two brace up to luncheon!" I soothed him as well as I could. Mrs. Dodd was puffing behind us. She had insisted upon following with the guns, although Lady Wakely and the two other elderly women had driven back to Ledstone. The yellow paradise plume and bright-blue dress made a glowing spot of color on the brown, ploughed field. Miss Springle tripped gayly along in front with Mr. Dodd, coquettishly tapping him on the arm and looking up in his face. Giggles of laughter were wafted back to us. Miss Springle is a rather pretty girl, with thick black hair. Antony strode forward and joined us. Augustus dropped behind to speak to Wilks. "You must stand with me," Antony said, "I will protect you as well as I can, and the chances are against the shot coming my way twice in one day." He was so gay. Never have I had so delightful a walk. I cannot write down what he said. If I try to remember his words, I cannot. It is the general impression they leave behind, rather than any actual sentence I can recall, which makes me feel his wit is like grandmamma's, and it reveals all the time his great knowledge of books, and people, and the world. And there is a lightness which makes one feel how strong and deep must be the under-current. My spirits always rise when I am with him. Soon we arrived at the hedge we were to stand behind. It was all new to me, the whole scene. Out of nowhere Antony's servant seemed to spring with two guns and a stick-seat, which he arranged for me. Mrs. Dodd had panted after her husband and Miss Springle, who were in the most open place; but Wilks was unable to contain himself with annoyance at this. "Not a bird will face the line if the lady's dress is seen," he said, in despair, as he passed us, and we saw him unceremoniously insist upon Mrs. Dodd joining Sir Samuel Wakely, who was at the thickest corner, next us. "The air must be black with the language Wakely is using, I will bet," said Antony. And then the partridges began to come. "There's a burrd! There's a burrd!" shouted Mr. Dodd, excitedly, pointing with his gun straight at Sir Samuel's head. "Damn you, sir!" yelled Sir Samuel back to him. "It is pure murder the way you hold your gun." "I'll trouble you not to swear at my husband!" roared Mrs. Dodd.