"She did then," he said.
Albert was white and blinking, but in complete control of himself.
"Who says so?"
"Everyone. You're a plucky fine actor and a mighty pore 'orseman, Albert Edward," continued the tormentor.
Albert was a lad of character. He had sworn to his mistress that if he won the race he would henceforth drop the boy and don the man. And the sign of his emancipation was to be that never again would he use his dukes except in self-defence. Now in the hour of trial he was true to his word.
Happily the strain was relieved, for at the moment Boy, scenting trouble, came out into the yard. Monkey Brand with her.
Albert approached her.
"Beg pardon, Miss, was it you or me won the National?" he asked. "These 'ere genelmen say it was you."
"It was neither," replied the girl. "It was Four-Pound-the-Second. Come in with me, Albert. I want to change his bandages."
She reëntered the stable.