course, I had heard that Chiltern has the Brake, and I
have heard also that he is doing it uncommonly well. Tell
him that I have hardly seen a hound since the memorable
day on which I pulled him out from under his horse in the
brook at Wissindine. I don't know whether I can ride a
yard now. I will get to you on the 4th, and will remain if
you will keep me till the 9th. If Chiltern can put me up
on anything a little quieter than Bonebreaker, I'll go out
steadily, and see how he does his cubbing. I may, perhaps,
be justified in opining that Bonebreaker has before this
left the establishment. If so I may, perhaps, find myself
up to a little very light work.

Remember me very kindly to him. Does he make a good nurse
with the baby?

Yours, always faithfully,

PHINEAS FINN.

I cannot tell you with what pleasure I look forward to
seeing you both again.


The next few days went very heavily with him. There had, indeed,
been no real reason why he should not have gone to Harrington Hall
at once, except that he did not wish to seem to be utterly homeless.
And yet were he there, with his old friends, he would not scruple
for a moment in owning that such was the case. He had fixed his day,
however, and did remain in London till the 4th. Barrington Erle and