Nora was much excited. “What's this about the treasurership?” she demanded. “Are you really to be treasurer, Mr. Waring-Gaunt? I am awfully glad. You know this whole mine was getting terribly Switzery. Isn't he awful? He just terrifies me. I know he will undertake to run me one of these days.”
“Then trouble, eh, what?” said Waring-Gaunt, pleasantly.
After a short run the motor pulled up at a wheat field in which the shocks were still standing and which lay contiguous to a poplar bluff.
“Good chicken country, eh?” said Tom, slipping out of the car quietly. “Nora, you come with me. Quiet now. Off to the left, eh, what? You handle Sweeper, Jack.”
“I'll drive the car,” said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. “Go on with Jack, Kathleen.”
“Come on, Miss Kathleen, you take the gun, and I'll look after the dog. Let me have the whistle, Tom.”
They had not gone ten yards from the car when the setter stood rigid on point. “Steady, old boy,” said Jack. “Move up quickly, Miss Kathleen. Is your gun ready? Sure it's off safe?”
“All right,” said the girl, walking steadily on the dog.
Bang! Bang! went Nora's gun. Two birds soared safely aloft. Bang! Bang! went Kathleen's gun. “Double, by jove! Steady, Sweeper!” Again the dog stood on point. Swiftly Jack loaded the gun. “Here you are, Miss Kathleen. You will get another,” he said. “There are more here.” As he spoke a bird flew up at his right. Bang! went Kathleen's gun. “Another, good work.” Bang! went Nora's gun to the left. “Look out, here he comes,” cried Jack, as Nora's bird came careening across their front. It was a long shot. Once more Kathleen fired. The bird tumbled in the air and fell with a thump right at their feet.
Sweeper, released from his point, went bounding joyfully over the stubble. Jack rushed up toward the girl, and taking her hand in both of his, shook it warmly. “Oh, splendid, partner, splendid, great shooting!”