“He chooses his own way.”
“And you fear that it leads somewhere?” added the Countess.
“I fear that it leads to knocking up the horse he rides.”
“The horse, Mama! He is out on a horse all night! But don’t you see, dear old pet! his morals, at least, are safe on horseback.”
“The horse has to be paid for, Louisa,” said her mother, sternly; and then, for she had a lesson to read to the guests of her son, “Ready money doesn’t come by joking. What will the creditors think? If he intends to be honest in earnest, he must give up four-feet mouths.”
“Fourteen-feet, ma’am, you mean,” said Old Tom, counting the heads at table.
“Bravo, Mama!” cried the Countess, and as she was sitting near her mother, she must show how prettily she kissed, by pouting out her playful lips to her parent. “Do be economical always! And mind! for the sake of the wretched animals, I will intercede for you to be his inspector of stables.”
This, with a glance of intelligence at her sisters.
“Well, Mr. Raikes,” said Andrew, “you keep good hours, at all events—eh?”
“Up with the lark,” said Old Tom. “Ha! ’fraid he won’t be so early when he gets rid of his present habits—eh?”