er, and a gun or
two for my friends. I intend to have, too, the west room fitted up for
billiards."

"For what, Hampton?" said his sister.

"Er-rum!--billiards," said Sir Hampton.

"It is not often that I venture upon a word, Hampton, respecting your
household management; but when I hear of propositions which must
interfere with your fixture welfare, I feel bound to speak."

"And, pray, what do you mean?" said Sir Hampton, angrily.

"I mean that I gave way when you insisted on having cards in the house,
because you said your visitors liked whist--"

"And you were always rattling the dice box and playing backgammon,"
retorted Sir Hampton.

"That is different," said Miss Matilda; "backgammon is a very old and a
very innocent game."

"Oh!" said Sir Hampton.

"I have known great divines play at backgammon."

"And I've known a bishop play a good rubber at whist," said Sir Hampton.

"I am sorry for it," said Miss Matilda; "but I draw the line at
billiards. It is a detestable game, played on a green cloth which is
the flag of gambling, and--"

"If you will take my advice, Matty, you will hold your tongue," said Sir
Hampton. "My guests will like a game at billiards, and I'll be bound to
say, before we've had the table in the house a month, you'll be playing
a game yourself."

"Hampton!"

"Same as you do at whist."

"I oblige your guests, and make up your horrid rubbers."

"But I say, aunty, you do like winning, you know," chimed in Fin.

"Oh, my dear, I--"

"You pocketed fifteen shillings--I won't say `bob,' because it's
slangy," said Fin, laughing mischievously.

"I protest, I--"

"Er-rum!--I will not hear another word. We start for town to-morrow;
and, my dears, you asked me once for horses--you shall have them. Fin,
my child, don't strangle me! There, now, see how you've rumpled my
cravat!"

"Oh, thank you, daddy!"

"Now, if you say _daddy_ again, I'll alter my mind," said the old
gentleman, angrily.

"There, then, I won't," said Fin. "But I say, pa, we must have a
groom."

"Of course, my dear."

"And riding-habits."

"To be sure."

"And we can get them in town. Oh, Tiny, do say `Hooray' for once in
your life."

"Er-rum! It's my intention," said Sir Hampton, "to patronise the sports
of our country, and foster hunting, game-keeping, and the like. By the
way, that man Lloyd might do some commissions for me. Matty, you will
keep house till we return. My dears, we start to-mor