"Sorry," mumbled the young man, and fled with his tail between his legs.
That afternoon a telegram came for Old Mat.
He showed it to Silver.
"That's from Miller, the station-master at Arunvale," he said. "They're goin' to gallop the mare. Would you like to step over and see what you can make of her?"
The young man agreed willingly.
"No good my comin'," said Mat. "But you might take Monkey Brand along—if he'll go."
But the little jockey, when approached, refused.
"Why not?" asked Silver, determined to save the little man's soul if it was to be saved.
"I'm too fond o' Monkey, sir," the other answered, his face inscrutable.