And as if in sympathy with the heart of the pursued possum, the

thermometer began to fall in the afternoon and by night had established a

clear, cold, windless condition of weather. The start for the Cliffs was

to be made from the fork of the River Road, where cars, horses, traps and

hampers were to be left with the servants, who by half past nine were

already in an excited group around a blazing, dry oak fire, over which

two score plump birds were ready to be roasted, attended by the

autocratic Tempie. Jeff piled high with brush a huge log whose

heart was being burned out for the baking of sundry potatoes, while the

aroma from the barbecue pit was maddening to even a ten o'clock appetite,

and no estimate could be made of what damage would be done after the

midnight return from the trail of the wily tree fruit.

David Kildare as usual was M.F.H. and his voice rang out as clearly

against the tall pines, while he welcomed the cars and traps full of

excited hunters, as if he had not been speaking in a crowded hall for an

hour or two.

Mrs. Cherry Lawrence arrived early, accompanied by the distinguished

suffragist, who was as alert for sensations new as if she had been one of

an exploration party into the heart of darkest Africa. They were attended

by Tom and also the suave Hobson, who was all attentions but whose

maneuvers in the direction of Caroline Darrah were pitiably fruitless.

He was seconded in his attentions to the stranger by David with his most

fascinating manner, and Mrs. Cherry sparkled and glowed at him with

subdued witchery, while Tom sulked close at her side.

Polly and young Boston had trailed Mrs. Buchanan's car on horses and

Phoebe was intent on pinning up the débutante's habit skirt to a

comfortable scramble length. Billy Bob fairly bubbled over with glee and

Milly, who had come to assist Mrs. Matilda in overlooking the

preparations for the feast for the returned hunters, was already busy

assembling hampers and cases on a flat rock over behind the largest fire.

Her anxious heart was at rest about her nestlings, for Caroline's maid,

Annette, had gone French mad over the babies and had begged the privilege

of keeping Mammy Betty company in her watch beside the cots.

"Come here, Caroline, child," called David from behind the farthest fire,

"let me look at you! Seems to me you are in for a good freezing." And he

drew her into the light of the blaze.

She was kilted and booted and coated and belted in the most beautiful and

wholly correct attire for the hunt that could possibly have been

contrived; that is, for a sedate cross-country bird stalk or a decorous

trap shooting, but for a long night scramble over the frozen ground she

was insufficiently clad. The other girls all wore heavy golf skirts and

coats and were muffled to their eyes; even the big-bug lady wore a

knitted comforter high round her throat. Without doubt Caroline would

have been in for a cold deal, if David had not been more than equal to

any occasion.




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