s nothing! you must take the rough with the smooth. I dare
say there are quite as many rugged places in England."

"From what I have seen of it, all I can say is, I intend to leave your
beautiful country as soon as papa gets back some of his property. I
hope to obtain a commission in the Guards."

"You'd better try and get a commission in our Black-guards," answered
Harry, laughing. "They are a very useful body of men, and most of their
officers are gallant fellows."

"Bosh!" cried Hector, who felt too indignant to make any other reply.

He, nevertheless, accompanied Harry to the stock-yard, where they found
Mary and Janet with their milk-pails, and their two elder cousins and
Miss Saville. Within the yard into which the cattle were being driven,
on one side, were two strong posts, about five feet high, with a
cross-piece on the top and another at the bottom, with a strong rail
between them, which could be moved from side to side and fixed by means
of a peg. Just behind this, but outside the yard, was a windlass, with
a rope passing between the two posts.

"Do you see those posts?" asked Harry; "that's where we milk our cows."

As he spoke he patted a cow on the back, and crying, "Bail-up!" she
walked quickly up and put her head between the posts, where it was so
secured by the rail that she could not withdraw it. Taking one of the
pails, and seating himself on a stool close by, he commenced the
operation, which, to Hector's intense astonishment, he performed in a
thoroughly efficient manner. Other cows walked up without the slightest
trouble, and were milked in the same way by his sisters.

"Now, girls, you had better clear out of the yard!" shouted Paul; "we
have two or three somewhat restive animals to deal with."

Mary and Janet, whose pails were by this time full, followed their
brother's advice, and, accompanied by Miss Saville and their cousins,
made their way out of the yard; while Mr Hayward, who summoned Harry
and Reginald to his assistance, stood ready at the windlass. Paul took
hold of the rope, which was unwound, with a noose at the end of it fixed
to a long stick, and approached one of the cows just before driven into
the yard. Immediately he attempted to throw the noose over her head she
swerved, now on one side, now on the other, taking care never to put her
nose to the ground. At last, however, Paul succeeded in throwing the
noose over her horns, when he drew it tight by a jerk.

"Hau