The woman's hand, strong yet tender, passed down the old horse's flank.
"I see you waled him," she said.
"Well, 'm, just a couple of taps like—to settle it," deprecated the other. "Three fences from home I see I'd got the measure of 'em, and come away from the ruck with a rattle. Then I easied him home."
"You'd no call to take up your whip, Brand," grumbled the old man. "He'd ha' won without that, and you'd a plenty in hand."
"I told him to come through and finish it if he got a chance," interposed Boy from the back.
The old man turned away with a grunt.
"Oh, you told him, did you? Course my instructions goes for nothin' if you told him. There's two masters in my stable, Mr. Silver, as you see—and neither of 'em's me."
"Mother!" called the girl.
Mrs. Woodburn went round and looked at the old mare.
"What d'you think of her?" asked Boy, unable to disguise her keenness.