He laughed, delighted, smacking his knee as he did when pleased, while even Ma, who of wont turned a deaf ear on the young couple, smiled sedately.
"I like that!" cried Silver. "Ha! ha! ho! ho! That's a good un." Then he turned grave, almost lugubrious. "But of course if you won't have him I must do something to him. I'm too fond of the old fellow to let him rot."
Next morning, before he left for London, Boy saw him from her window holding intimate communion with Monkey Brand in the Paddock Close beside the wood.
When he had driven away, the girl descended from her eyrie and cross-examined the little jockey sharply.
Monkey looked secretive and mysterious even for him.
"He's a very queer gentleman," was all he would say. "One o' them that's been to India without their 'ats, I should say. You know, Miss?" He tapped his forehead. "Melted a-top."
"What did he say?" persisted the girl.
"He said nobody was to exercise Heart of Oak only unless you wanted him. And he said he'd make up his mind next week."
"Make up his mind?"
"That was the word, Miss."