'And you've made up your mind to ride for this man.'
'See for yourself how I am situated. How can I get out of it? He has done me a kindness, and in return he asks me to do him one. If I can't do anything else I can ride, and he is pinning his chance of winning on me. Am I therefore to disappoint him because the old goody-goodies in the township disapprove of horse-racing?'
'Jim, that isn't the right way to look at it.'
'Isn't it? Well, it's the way I've got to look at it anyhow, and, as far as I can see, there's no other. Only, I'll give you one bit of advice, don't let any of the people hereabouts come preaching to me, or they'll find I'm not in the humour for it.'
Sheilah was quiet for a little while. Then she said very sorrowfully,—
'This man's coming into the township will prove to have been the beginning of trouble for all of us. Jim, mark my words; your decision will some day recoil upon those you love best.'
This was not at all what I expected from Sheilah, so like a fool I lost my temper.
'What nonsense you talk,' I cried. 'At any rate, if it does it will do us good. We want a bit of waking up, or I'm mistaken.'
'Oh, Jim, Jim,' she said, 'if only I could persuade you to give this notion up.'