"The Major says he is a safe horse; one which can be relied on, and that is more important than speed. I do not want your neck broken, my dear."
"Neither do I want my neck broken, but I should like to be somewhere in sight during a run. The young officers desert me once a wolf is sighted; they forget their manners at the first flash of a greyhound."
"I know, daughter, but what can you expect? They go out for that purpose."
"Mr. Ermine doesn't, or at least he is polite enough to say that he goes out to see me run, and not the wolf. If he is not sophisticated, he seems to have the primitive instincts of a gentleman."
"Mr. Ermine, forsooth!" And Madam Searles betrayed some asperity. "Is he presumptuous enough to present you with compliments? You had better maintain your distance."
"He is a perfectly delightful man, mother; so thoughtful and so handsome."
"Tut tut, Katherine; he is only an ordinary scout—a wild man."
"I don't care; I like him."
"Katherine, what are you thinking of?"