"There's a good boy—and she really is original, and originality is so in the fashion just now."
CHAPTER XII.
AN UNDIGNIFIED SITUATION.
Lewis Waycott was shooting over a lonely ten-acre field with a copse at the further end of it, when suddenly he heard a fearful noise, and then beheld a huge black snout rise up on the hedge and look over it. On the top of the snout was Toney and a man. Suddenly loud explicatives in most unparliamentary language were heard as the snout disappeared. Lewis threw his gun down and jumped over the hedge, to see the new motor trembling with indignation and Toney laughing inordinately.
"Oh, Mr. Waycott, I turned the wheel the wrong way! and we had a peep over the hedge. Mr. Hughes is very much displeased with me. The creature is not hurt, is it?"
"No, madam; but if it had been a wall instead of a hedge it would have been ruined, and your life would have been in danger."
Jim had fallen out, but was none the worse, and was grinning broadly as he said:
"Them dratted beasts is so contrary, Miss Toney; better keep to horses."
"Good gracious, Toney, are you hurt?" exclaimed Lewis.
"Not a bit! I'm awfully elastic, you know. No harm done, Mr. Hughes. Come in with us please, Mr. Waycott, and you'll see how nice it is."