Part 19 (2/2)

”You won't forget to take the tabloid?”

”No I say, I'ood white citizen”

Sanders sood-humouredly ”This is all brotherly love White to white, and kin to kin, don't you know? We're all alone here, and there isn't a ht, and please take the tabloid--”

Mainward lay listening to the noise of departure He thought he heard a little bell tingle That ines Then he heard the puck-a-puck of the wheel-so that was how the steaot its name

Abiboo came with some milk ”You take um medicine, master?” he inquired

”I take ureen tabloid was underneath his pillow

Then there began to steal over him a curious sensation of content He did not analyse it down to its first cause He had had sufficient introspective exercise for one day It came to him as a pleasant shock to realise that he was happy

He opened his eyes and looked round

His bed was laid in the open, and he drew aside the curtains of his net to get a better view

A littlethe velvet stretch of grass that sloped down froasped ”By all that's wonderful”

Atty, indeed, it was: the sa face to which Mainward had been accusto-breeches, his diminutive top-boots were splashed with mud, and on the crimson of his silk jacket there was evidence of a hard race He touched his cap jerkily with his whip, and shi+fted the burden of the racing saddle he carried to the other arm

”Why, Atty,” said Mainward, with a s here?”

”It's a short way to the jockey's rooht the Fairy would do it, sir, and she did”

Mainward nodded wisely ”I knew she would, too,” he said

”Did she give you a sain ”She never does that,” he said ”But she ran ga a little, but I showed her the whip, and she caht once the Stalk would beat us-I got shut in, but I pulled her round, and ere never in difficulties I could have won by ten lengths,” said Atty

”You could have won by ten lengths,” repeated Mainward in wonder ”Well, you've done et est holes that ever a reckless et you, Atty”

”I'ratefully; ”if you'll excuse me now, sir--”

Mainward nodded and watched hih the trees

There were several people in the glade now, and Mainward looked down ruefully at his soiled duck suit ”What an ass I was to coht have known that I should have met all these people”

There was one he did not wish to see; and as soon as he sighted Venn, with his shy eyes and his big nose, Mainward endeavoured to slip back out of observation But Venn saw hi, flabby hand extended and his dull eyes aglow