“Major Hammerslea can answer that question better than I,” said Mr. Carteret. He looked toward that great man and smiled. The Major was the author of “Schooling and Riding British Hunters,” and Mr. Carteret knew his views.
“No one,” said the Major, impressively, “would buy an American horse if he desired to make or possess a really good hunter.”
“But why advertise that they were American?” observed Lady Withers, blandly.
“How could you hide it?” said the Major.
“Exactly,” said Mr. Carteret.
“Furthermore,” observed the Major, his interest in the controversy growing, “the output of a single breeding institution would scarcely make it worth Cecil’s while to manage an agency for their distribution.”
“I think you don’t understand,” said Lady Withers, “that Mr. Carteret has a large place.”
“My friend the Duke of Westchester,” began the Major, “has in his breeding farm eight thousand acres—”
“But I’ve no doubt that Mr. Carteret’s is very nearly as large,” interrupted Lady Withers.