"You have heard from him," said Jake, in the tone of one making a casual statement.
She was silent for a second or two while she poured out Bunny's tea; then, without lifting her eyes, "Yes," she said. "I have heard from him."
"Where is he?" asked Bunny. "Does he write often?"
"Not often," said Maud. She suddenly looked across at Jake with eyes that seemed to fling a challenge. "I expect you know where he is," she said.
"He is in town," said Jake.
He met her look with the utmost deliberation, and almost at once she looked away.
"I expect he'll be going to Scotland next month," said Bunny. "But I hope he'll come here first. I'd like to see him. Aren't there some big races at Graydown soon, Jake? Won't he come for them?"
"I can't say what he'll do," said Jake, pulling out his pipe. "The Burchester Cup will be run in a fortnight."
"Oh, Jake, old chap, do--do let me see that!" urged Bunny, with shining eyes. "Is the Mascot going to run again?"
"No, not the Mascot this time,--the Albatross. You remember him? Reckon he ought to carry it off if his jockey is good enough." Jake spoke with something of a frown.