A huge covey came over at the moment, but the voices and the bright-blue dress attracted their attention, and they all wheeled off to the right, so that, but for two stray birds killed by Antony, this end of the line found the drive a blank. Augustus's rage knew no bounds. He came up to me as if it was my fault. "Take that old woman home this moment, Ambrosine," he said, furiously. "Do you hear?--this minute!" and I was obliged to go up to Mrs. Dodd and suggest our returning. I was tired, I said. "I'll not leave Wullie with that minx," she replied, firmly. "You can go without me, Mrs. Gussie. I'll not take it rude of you at all." I tried to explain that I thought we were all a little in the way and had better return to the house; but Miss Springle, who joined us, would not hear of such a thing. "Mr. Dodd says he can't get on without me," she said, coyly, whereupon Mrs. Dodd gurgled with rage. "I am afraid you will all be shot if you delay here," said Antony, coming to my rescue. "We are going to take the next beat at right angles, and you are all in the full line." "Goodness, gracious me!" screamed Mrs. Dodd. "Oh, gentlemen, save me!" And she rushed wildly towards Augustus, who was coming up, her dress held high, showing a pair of opulent ankles and wide, flat feet covered in thin, kid boots, while a white cotton stocking appeared upon the stove-pipe calf that was visible above. The yellow paradise plume floated in the wind, the hat having become a little deranged by her rapid flight. "Gussie Gurrage!" she yelled. "Oh, do you hear that? The gentleman says I'll be shot!" And she precipitated herself into the unwilling arms of Augustus. He has not manners enough to stand such an assault. His face flushed with annoyance, and the savage look grew round his mouth. I waited for the explosion. "Confound it, Mrs. Dodd!" he said. "Women have no business out shooting, and you had better clear out and go home." "I've never been so insulted in my life!" she snorted, as we walked back to the farm, after a confused scene, in which Mr. Dodd and Sir Samuel and Augustus, Miss Springle, and Mrs. Dodd herself had all talked at once. "Never so insulted in my life! Sent away as if I wasn't wanted. If I hadn't known Gussie Gurrage since he was a baby I'd have boxed his ears, that I would!" I remained in haughty silence. I feared I should burst into screams of laughter if I attempted speech. Miss Springle had evaded us at the last minute, and could be seen once more by Mr. Dodd's side as we drove past the shooters again on the road. A meek woman, sister of Mr. McCormack, a Mrs. Broun by name, who had quietly stood by her husband and had not been in any one's way, now caught Mrs. Dodd's wrath. "You've had a good deal to do with Jessie Springle's bringing up, I've heard, Mrs. Broun, since her mother died, and a disgrace she is to you, I can testify."