After luncheon, Sir Everard proposed to take Humphrey out riding.
Little Miles looked very disconsolate when the horses came to the door, and he found himself condemned to a solitary afternoon, but seemed somewhat cheered by a long-whispered confabulation that his brother had with him before starting.
At three o'clock Sir Everard and Humphrey mounted, and as they went along the road, the following conversation took place:—
"Will you pass through the town, father; because I've got some shopping to do?"
"Shopping! why what do you want to buy?"
"It's such a very great secret, that I don't think I can tell you. But perhaps you can keep a secret?"
"Yes, I think I may promise to keep it."
"Well, then, I'll tell you. It's a birthday present for you. And what would you like? But you must promise not to tell any one."
"No one shall know: but I think I would rather you chose for me; what you like, I shall like."
"Well, now, I don't think you would. You see, I should like a pop-gun, or some nine-pins. Now you would not care for either of those, would you?"