Falkner, too, would have preferred the company of his own thoughts, but Lee, apparently the only unpreoccupied, all-pervading, and boyishly alert spirit in the party, hailed him from within, and obliged him to present himself on the threshold of the parlor with the hare and hawk's wing he was still carrying.

Eying the latter with affected concern, Lee said gravely: "Of course, I CAN eat it, Ned, and I dare say it's the best part of the fowl, and the hare isn't more than enough for the women, but I had no idea we were so reduced.

Three hours and a half gunning, and only one hare and a hawk's wing.

It's terrible." Perceiving that his friend was alone, Falkner dropped his burden in the hall and strode rapidly to his side.

"Look here, George, we must, I must leave this place at once.