Ralph Elthorne nodded and smiled.
“No,” he said; “you are right. They do seem to think of nothing but horses. I was the same once, I’m afraid, my boy. Perhaps I shall think a good deal of horses still; but,” he continued sadly, “from a very different point of view to that of the past.”
“Never mind the past, father,” said Neil quickly. “Think of the future.”
“A poor future for me, Neil,” said Elthorne, shaking his head.
“By no means, my dear father. There is nothing to prevent your living another fifteen or twenty years.”
“Like this?” replied Elthorne despairingly, as he glanced down at his helpless limbs.
“Like this, sir. You are a wealthy man, and can soften the hardships of your state in a hundred ways.”
“Ah, well, we shall see, my boy, we shall see.”
“Have you been reading?” asked Neil, glancing at a book on the little table by the side of the couch.
“No. Nurse Elisia was reading to me when Maria brought her a message.”