q: Who was it who casted reproach? a: Larry q: Upon who? a: Reginald Morton q: And who did he state he would be taking up pursuing animals to? a: Mary q: Was she his sister? a: no q: What relation was she? a: his mother q: Was there a buddy of hers who was described as a doofus? a: yes q: Who was he? a: Mr. Twentyman q: How many friends were described in this manner? a: two q: What was the other's name? a: Lord Rufford q: Where was it that the son felt miserable? a: Hoppet Hall q: Did people hate him for pursuing animals there? a: no q: Why did he not do so? a: he could not afford it q: How many different types of game does he mention that he would do if he could? a: four q: Did the message he received talk about uncivilized men? a: yes q: What type of person was the message from? a: a benevolent philosopher q: Was he pushing for a club to be disbanded? a: no q: What did he want? a: the suppression of British sports q: Did the recipient of the message assume he would do well in catching seafood? c: CHAPTER XIX. 

"IS IT TANTI?" 

Reginald Morton entertained serious thoughts of cleansing himself from the reproach which Larry cast upon him when describing his character to his mother. "I think I shall take to hunting," he said to Mary. 

"But you'll tumble off, dear." 

"No doubt I shall, and I must try to begin in soft places. I don't see why I shouldn't do it gradually in a small way. I shouldn't ever become a Nimrod, like Lord Rufford or your particular friend Mr. Twentyman." 

"He is my particular friend." 

"So I perceive. I couldn't shine as he shines, but I might gradually learn to ride after him at a respectful distance. A man at Rome ought to do as the Romans do." 

"Why wasn't Hoppet Hall Rome as much as Bragton?" 

"Well;--it wasn't. While fortune enabled me to be happy at Hoppet Hall--" 

"That is unkind, Reg." 

"While fortune oppressed me with celibate misery at Hoppet Hall, nobody hated me for not hunting;--and as I could not very well afford it, I was not considered to be entering a protest against the amusement. As it is now I find that unless I consent to risk my neck at any rate five or six times every winter, I shall be regarded in that light." 

"I wouldn't be frightened into doing anything I didn't like," said Mary. 

"How do you know that I shan't like it? The truth is I have had a letter this morning from a benevolent philosopher which has almost settled the question for me. He wants me to join a society for the suppression of British sports as being barbarous and antipathetic to the intellectual pursuits of an educated man. I would immediately shoot, fish, hunt and go out ratting, if I could hope for the least success. I know I should never shoot anything but the dog and the gamekeepers, and that I should catch every weed in the river; but I think that in the process of seasons I might jump over a hedge." 
no