"We are very much interested in the horses. You heard of the Mascot's victory at Graydown?"
Mrs. Wright came out of her silence, shook herself together, as it were, and smiled again. "Now, isn't that nice for Jake? He's that wrapped up in the animals, and to have you interested in 'em too! Now I should be jealous of 'em if it was me!"
It was at this point that Jake himself threw open the door and entered, stopping short within the room in surprise to find it occupied.
Mrs. Wright laughed aloud. "There, now! You didn't expect to find me in possession, did you? How de do, Jake? What's happened to your head?"
Jake advanced with extended hand. "Hullo, it's Mother Wright!" he said, and to Maud's amazement stooped and kissed her. "If this isn't a real pleasure! But what are you doing in here? My head made a hole in the road coming home from the races the other night, and it is still too sore a subject for discussion."
"Now--now, Jake!" protested Mrs. Wright.
"Fact!" he assured her, with the candid smile that Maud had seen but little of late. "But now what are you doing in here, I want to know? This place is like a vault. Come along into the parlour and have some tea!"
He had not so much as glanced at Maud; she spoke suddenly, with nervous haste. "Bunny is in the parlour, Jake. He may be dozing."
"We'll soon wake him up," said Jake,
He drew Mrs. Wright's tightly-gloved hand through his arm and turned to the door. But she held him back, laughing.