"Come with me."
The groom followed Warburton into the yard, A conversation began in low tones.
"It's as much as my place is worth, sir. I couldn't do it, sir," declared the groom, shaking his head negatively.
"I'll guarantee that you will not suffer in the least. My brother will not discharge you. He likes a joke as well as I do. You are not handed twenty dollars every day for a simple thing like this."
"Very well, sir. I dare say that no harm will come of it. But I am an inch or two shorter than you."
"We'll tide that over."
"I am at your orders, sir." But the groom returned to the stables, shaking his head dubiously. He was not thoroughly convinced.
During the morning ride down-town the two women were vastly puzzled over their brother's frequent and inexplicable peals of laughter.
"For mercy's sake, what do you see that is so funny?" asked Nancy.
"I'm thinking, my dears; only thinking."