Page:Wildwildheart00reesiala.pdf/241

wind swept across the paddock, through manuka and rushes to the hills. The clouds were low over the higher bushed slopes. Ann’s feeling of exhilaration and delight was gone, like the sweep of horses and hounds across the crest of the hill. Two lines of “Daisy” came back into her mind:

Why did those sad little lines recur to her? It was the loneliness of the wintry landscape she told herself; and she set to work with the children to gather the thickly-growing mushrooms in the hollow. But after a short time there was a shriek from Biddy.

“Look! Look! There’s a hare!”

The little brown body was streaking away down below them, and in a few moments, hounds in full cry, with all the hunt following in pursuit were visible. Only one or two of the older women were riding on side-saddles—the rest were astride. Over the wire fences they went! How easy it looked! The hare doubled round again, and the hunt came nearer—now one could distinguish the riders.

“Rodney’s horse has balked,” yelled Jo.

Stephanie, riding close behind him, shouted:

“Come on, I’ll give you a lead!” as she passed.

Ann saw her pretty laughing face turned to Marsh. Boxer jumped, and Rodney’s horse did not refuse a second time.

They were farther away now, over the brow of the hill, near to the cars. The children’s interest in the mushrooms suddenly ceased. They raced up the slope, leaving Ann to carry the heavy basket. When they