"On horseback," said Mowbray; "I can easily procure you a horse."
Hoffland turned his head aside to conceal his laughter.
"No, I thank you," he said.
"You refuse?"
"Point-blank."
Mowbray looked at him.
"You are a strange person, Charles," he said; "you seem half man, half child—I might almost say half girl."
"Oh, Ernest, to hurt my feelings so!" said the boy, turning away his face.
Mowbray found himself reflecting that he had uttered a very unkind speech.
"I only meant that there was a singular mixture of character and playfulness in you, Charles," he said; "you are as changeable as the wind—and quite as pleasant to my weary brow," he added, with a smile; "you smooth its wrinkles."