ng on Tuesday: if you could
contrive to send any kind of trap over about lunch-time, on Wednesday, I
could have a second pop at the long-tails, and be with you in time for a
half-past six o'clock feed as it is not more than ten miles from Storley
to Heathfield. I wouldn't have troubled you to send for me, only the
tandem's _hors de combat_. I was fool enough to lend it to Muffington
Spoffkins to go and see his aunt one fine day. The horses finding a
fresh hand on the reins, began pulling like steam-engines--Muffington
could not hold them--consequently they bolted; and after running over
two whole infant schools, and upsetting a retired grocer, they knocked
the cart into "immortal smash" against a turnpike-gate, pitching
Spoffkins into a horse-pond, with Shrimp a-top of him. It was a regular
sell for all parties: I got my cart broken to pieces, Shrimp was all but
drowned, and Muffington's aunt cut him off with a shilling, because the
extirpated squadron of juveniles turned out, unfortunately, to have been
a picked detachment of infantry from her own village. If you could send
to meet me at the Feathers' public-house, which is just at the bottom
of Storley great wood, it would be a mercy, for walking in cover doesn't
suit my short legs, and I'm safe to be used up.--Remember us to Fairlegh
and all inquiring friends, and believe me to remain, very heartily,
yours, George Lawless.'"

"I comprehend," said I, as Oaklands finished reading the note, "you wish
me to drive over this afternoon and fetch him: it will be a great deal
better than merely sending a servant."

"Why, I had thought of going myself, but, 'pon my word, these sort of
things are so much trouble--at least to me, I mean; and, though Lawless
is a capital, excellent fellow, and I like him extremely, yet I know
he'll talk about nothing but horses all the way home; and not being
quite strong again yet, you've no notion how that kind of thing worries
and tires me."

"Don't say another word about it, my dear Harry; I shall enjoy the drive
uncommonly. What vehicle had I better take?"

"The phaeton, I think," replied Oaklands, "and then you can bring his
luggage, and Shrimp, or any of his people he may have with him."

~313~~ "So be it," returned I; "I'll walk back with you to the Hall, and
then start as soon as you please.

CHAPTER XL -- LAWLESS'S MATINEE MUSICALE

"I was deep in my tradesmen's books, I'm afraid,
But not in my own, by-