"I was up first," from Jack.
"I was off first," from Jim.
"Ay--on ground!"
"Nay, on pony! You were sitting on grass."
"You fell over t'other side."
"I'll fight you!" And in a moment they were off their steeds and locked in fight, to the great scandal of Gracie.
"Oh you dreadful boys!" And she danced wildly about them. "Didn't I tell you----"
"Stop it, boys!" And Eager laughingly shook them apart.
"The old Adam will out," he said to Sir George, who was enjoying them mightily.
"They've no lack of pluck. Keep 'em on right lines, Mr. Eager, and you'll make men of them. Now then, who's for next mount? Rafe, my lad, what do you say to a bareback?"