The chapter about the hunt is a favourite part of Forest's writing to me. I love so much about it; Mrs Marlow's outfit, nervous systems, what the Merricks are like on hunting days, the hounds, Nicola's greeting to the Master, Buster who I love so much ('Come on, don't be such a cissy!'), the ride with the three white hounds and the awful awful moment when Patrick nearly jumps on her. (I do also love the moment in Attic Term when Nick bites back at Patrick and Ginty over that. I get the impression then and here that Patrick has never really noticed that's what he did.)
A very minor point: I'm always slightly taken aback by 'Rowan was one of those people who keep their promises even when they turn out inconveniently' over lending Peter Prisca. Of course I see that she would like to hunt, but the inconvenience was inherent in the promise that he could have Prisca in the holidays; it's not as though Peter is unexpectedly at home.
ETA: also, it only occurs to me now to link these together, but not only does Nicola save Patrick's life in the last chapter, but he could easily have killed or seriously injured her in this. So the debt is piling up.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-10-17 01:37 pm (UTC)A very minor point: I'm always slightly taken aback by 'Rowan was one of those people who keep their promises even when they turn out inconveniently' over lending Peter Prisca. Of course I see that she would like to hunt, but the inconvenience was inherent in the promise that he could have Prisca in the holidays; it's not as though Peter is unexpectedly at home.
ETA: also, it only occurs to me now to link these together, but not only does Nicola save Patrick's life in the last chapter, but he could easily have killed or seriously injured her in this. So the debt is piling up.