Two quail stopped in mid-air and pitched downward.
"O Lord!" said Hamil, "they're not my birds. Shiela, how could you do such a thing under my very nose and in sight of your relatives and three unfeeling guides!"
"You poor boy'" she said, watching the bevy as he picked up the curious, dark, little Florida quail and displayed them. Then, having marked, she quietly signalled the dogs forward.
"I'm not going," he said; "I've performed sufficiently."
She was not quite sure how much of disappointment lay under his pretence, and rather shyly she suggested that he redeem himself. Gray and his father were walking toward one dog who was now standing; two quail flushed and both fell.
"Come," she said, laying her hand lightly on his arm; "Ticky is pointing and I will have you redeem yourself."
So they went forward, shoulder to shoulder; and three birds jumped and two fell.
"Bravo!" she exclaimed radiantly; "I knew my cavalier after all!"
"You held your fire," he said accusingly.
"Ye-s."