dy of the doctor, where my hot tears
had stained the flowered paper on the wall. She did her best to calm
me, good soul, though she had her own troubles with my Lady Caroline to
think about at the time.

I had one experience with Master Philip before our visitors betook
themselves back to Kent, which, unfortunate as it was, I cannot but
relate here. My cousin would enter into none of those rough amusements
in which I passed my time, for fear, I took it, of spoiling his fine
broadcloths or of losing a gold buckle. He never could be got to
wrestle, though I challenged him more than once. And he was a well-built
lad, and might, with a little practice, have become skilled in that
sport. He laughed at the homespun I wore about the farm, saying it
was no costume for a gentleman's son, and begged me sneeringly to don
leather breeches. He would have none of the company of those lads with
whom I found pleasure, young Harvey, and Willis's son, who was being
trained as Mr. Starkie's assistant. Nor indeed did I disdain to join in
a game with Hugo, who had been given to me, and other negro lads. Philip
saw no sport in a wrestle or a fight between two of the boys from the
quarters, and marvelled that I could lower myself to bet with Harvey the
younger. He took not a spark of interest in the gaming cocks we raised
together to compete at the local contests and at the fair, and knew
not a gaff from a cockspur. Being one day at my wits' end to amuse
my cousin, I proposed to him a game of quoits on the green beside the
spring-house, and thither we repaired, followed by Hugo, and young
Harvey come to look on. Master Philip, not casting as well as he might,
cries out suddenly to Hugo: "Begone, you black dog! What business have
you here watching a game between gentlemen?"

"He is my servant, cousin," I said quietly, "and no dog, if you please.
And he is under my orders, not yours."

But Philip, having scarcely scored a point, was in a rage. "And I'll
not have him here," he shouted, giving poor Hugo a cuff which sent him
stumbling over the stake. And turning to me; continued insolently: "Ever
since we came here I have marked your manner toward us, as though my
father had no right in my grandfather's house."

Then could I no longer contain myself. I heard young Harvey laugh, and
remark: "'Tis all up with Master Philip now." But Philip, whatever else
he may have been, was no coward, and had squared off to face me by the
time I had run the d