'Uncle Regie, will you have a crack at the rabbits tomorrow? Brown
said we might have a day, and we have been keeping it for you.'
'Uncle Regie, the hounds meet at the Bugle this morning, won't you come
and see them throw off?'
'Oh, let me come too!' 'And me!' 'And me!'
'My dear children,' exclaimed their mother, 'I can't have the whole
tribe of little ones and girls going galloping after your uncle. You
will only hinder him.'
'No, no, Lily! the more Merrifields, the merrier the field. I'll drill
them well. How far off is this Bugle?'
'Not two miles over Furzy Common.'
'Oh! not so far, Hal!'
'That's nothing. Who is coming?'
A general outbreak of 'Me's' ensued, but mamma laid an embargo on
Primrose, who must stay at home and 'help her,' while Gillian looked
wistful and doubtful, knowing that more efficient help than the little
one's might be desirable.
'You had better go, my dear,' said her mother, 'if you are not tired.
I don't like to send Mysie and Val without some one to turn back with
them if your uncle and the boys want to go further.'
But whereas it was not nearly time to start, Uncle Reginald was dragged
down to inspect all the live stock in the stable-yard, at their
feeding-time, and went off with Val and Primrose clinging to his hands,
and the general rabble surrounding him.
Nothing could have been more alien to Dolores's taste than going out to
a meet on foot through mud and mire--she who hated the being driven out
to take a constitutional walk on the gravel road or the paved path! But
she had some hope that while all the others ran off madly, as was their
wont, she might secure a little rational conversation with Uncle
Reginald.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194