“The Padre’s” owner caught the whisper.
“More fool you, you young idiot!” Markham genially observed, as the silly youngster turned away with a muttered curse.
Miss Woodburn’s congratulations were even more welcome than the praises of his comrades.
“I’m proud of my future brother,” she said. “You rode just splendidly. Oh, it was exciting! I gave up all hope at the last water-jump.... And then when you began to overhaul him down the incline! Didn’t the shouting affect your nerves?”
Ted shook his head. “I don’t remember hearing anything. For all I knew there might not have been a single person within miles except me and Spencer—I mean Spencer and I—Spencer and myself, I should say.”
“I could hardly hold myself in,” went on Ethel. “I was dancing up and down—screaming, I’m afraid.”
“You were indeed, madame,” interposed Jim. “You were making a most discreditable exhibition.”
“Ted,” exclaimed the girl, “will you marry me? I’m tired of your brother.”
“That I will!” replied Ted. “To-morrow if you like. I never could imagine what you could see in that chap, you know.”
“Very well, I’ll abandon him to his fate. He was actually cheering on that Guide fellow during the last hundred yards.”