I walked
to a cottage; and nearly an hour afterwards Storm was returned to
me.
After this contretemps my mount was more amenable and I determined
that nothing should unseat me again. Not being hurt by a fall
gives one a sense of exhilaration and I felt ready to face an arm
of the sea.
The scattered field were moving aimlessly about, some looking for
their second horses, some eating an early sandwich, some in groups
laughing and smoking and no one knowing anything about the hounds;
I was a little away from the others and wondering--like all
amateurs--why we were wasting so much time, when a fine old
gentleman on a huge horse came up to me and said, with a sweet
smile:
"Do you always whistle out hunting?"
MARGOT: "I didn't know I was whistling ... I've never hunted
before."
STRANGER: "Is this really the first time you've ever been out with
hounds?"
MARGOT: "Yes, it is."
STRANGER: "How wonderfully you ride! But I am sorry to see you
have taken a toss."
MARGOT: "I fell off at the first fence, for though I've ridden all
my life I've never jumped before."
STRANGER: "Were you frightened when you fell?"
MARGOT: "No, my horse was ..."
STRANGER: "Would you like to wear the blue and buff?"
MARGOT: "It's pretty for women, but I don't think it looks
sporting for men, though I see you wear it; but in any case I
could not get the blue habit."
STRANGER: "Why not?"
MARGOT: "Because the old Duke of Beaufort only gives it to women
who own coverts; I am told he hates people who go hard and after
today I mean to ride like the devil.
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