"Never mind that; tell me what the colt is worth."
Mr. Royden expressed a favorable opinion of the beast, but declined to commit himself.
"Well, it don't make no difference," said Mark, with a smile of satisfaction. "He suits me very well," he added, with an oath.
The clergyman's countenance changed. The smile faded from his lips, and he glanced anxiously from Mark to the little boys who sat on the grass at his feet.
"Better look out about swearing 'fore the minister," said Sam, in a low tone, to Mark.
For the first time the latter regarded the old man attentively. At sight of his thin white locks, the color mounted to the jockey's brow; and when Father Brighthopes raised his calm, sad eyes, Mark's fell before them.
But Mark had some manly traits of character, with all his faults.
"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, frankly. "I wouldn't have used profane language, if I had known there was a minister within hearing."
"My friend," replied Father Brighthopes, in a kind but impressive tone, "you have my forgiveness, if that is of any account; but it seems you should rather forbear from using such language before children, whose minds are like wax, to receive all sorts of impressions—good or bad."
"The truth is," said Mark, "I thought nothing of it. It was wrong, I know."