Philip raised the gun awkwardly, and it went off in quite a different direction from the one contemplated. But, as luck would have it, a foolish crow got in the way just at the critical moment, and received the charge meant for another object.

“There; do you see that?” exclaimed Philip, triumphantly.

“You don’t mean to say you intended to shoot that crow?” asked Congreve.

“Of course I did!” answered Philip shortly, determined to get the credit of his success.

Harry could not help smiling. “What are you laughing at?” demanded Philip, scowling.

“At the mistake I made,” answered Harry, good-humoredly. “I thought you were firing at the partridge.”

“You see you were mistaken,” said Philip, offensively.

“I see I was,” returned Harry, quietly.

He thought it was foolish to get angry about such a trifle.

“Go and get the crow,” said Philip, arrogantly.