Big Game - A Story for Girls

Out of sympathy and respect for Mr and Mrs Macalister, nothing more

was said about the next picnic party for several days after their tragic

departure from the Glen, but the intervening time was, to Margot at

least, full of interest and excitement. One morning, for instance, as

she strolled from the breakfast-room to the road, as was the easy custom

of the hour, a hurried step followed in the same direction, and George

Elgood, staring hard in an opposite direction, advanced an opinion that

one lesson in fishing was mere waste of time, whereas two, or perhaps

three, might possibly convey some real knowledge of the art. Er--did

Miss Vane feel inclined to pay another visit to the river?

Miss Vane, poking the gravel with the points of her shoes, was--er--yes!

quite inclined, if Mr Elgood was sure she would not interrupt his sport

Mr Elgood, with equal eagerness and incoherence, assured Miss Vane that

she would do nothing of the kind, and hurried back to the inn, murmuring

vaguely concerning eleven o'clock.

In the quiet of the riverside, however, he regained his self-possession,

and once more proved himself to be the most interesting of companions,

the most patient of instructors. Margot thought fishing a delightful

and absorbing pursuit, which was the more remarkable as she was rather

stupid than otherwise in mastering the initial movements. Mr Elgood

encouraged her, however, by saying that some of the cleverest "rods" of

his acquaintance had been the slowest in picking up the knack. The

great thing was to have plenty of practice! She ought to come up every

morning for as much time as she could spare; meantime, as she had been

standing so long, would she not like to sit down, and rest awhile before

walking home?

Then they sat down side by side on the grassy bank, and talked together

as a man and a maid love to talk in the summer of their youth,

exchanging innocent confidences, comparing thoughts and opinions,

marvelling that they are so much alike.

Margot faithfully observed her promise to make no references to her

ambitions on her brother's behalf, and, truth to tell, her silence

involved little effort, for she was guiltily conscious of being so much

engrossed in her own affairs that even Ron's ambitions had faded into

the background. As for the lad himself, he was happy enough, wandering

about by himself studying "effects" to transcribe to paper, or scouring

the countryside with the Chieftain, whom he frankly adored, despite the

many exceedingly plain-spoken criticisms and exhortations received from

his lips.

"Your sister has been telling me about that rhyming craze of yours," the

little man said suddenly one day. "Likewise about her own very pretty

little scheme for the subjugation of my brother. Told you that she'd

told me, eh? Expect she did! She is pleased to believe she is a

designing little adventuress, whereas as a matter of fact she's as clear

as crystal, and any one with half an eye could see through her schemes.

Well! I laid down the law that neither she nor you are to worry my

brother about business matters during his holiday, for, to tell you the

truth, he has had his full share of worry of late. But what about me?

I'm a plain, common-sense, steady-going old fellow, who might perhaps be

able to give you a word or two of advice! What's all this nonsense

about throwing aside a post that's waiting for you, and which means an

income for life, in order to live in an attic, and scribble verses for

magazines? If you knew the world, young man, you would understand that

you are blessedly well off, to have your way made smooth, and would not

be in such a hurry to meet disappointments half way. They will come

soon enough! At the best of it, you will have a hard row to hoe. Why

make it worse?"