“Yes,” said Mark sharply. “If you had been here and heard him talk it would have sounded to you as if he had come for help because he was ill.”
“Well, whatever is done,” said Sir James, “we must give the poor fellow some breakfast, and follow it up with a few shillings, or we shall be having him putting a stop to our expedition.”
“Mind he doesn’t hear what you say, father,” whispered Mark.
“To be sure,” said the doctor. “We mustn’t let him realise what a power he has in his hands.”
“In his fingers, I think,” said Mark.
“And it seems to me,” said Sir James, “that he already knows it. Here, what about breakfast? We will talk about it over our morning meal.”
They did, with the result that their party was afterwards increased by one who had already proved how he could manage the fresh purchases. And if further inducement were needed it was afforded by Mark, who suddenly exclaimed, “I’ve got it, doctor!”
“Got what?”
“This fellow can manage ponies splendidly.”
“Well, we know that,” said the doctor drily.