"Isn't Bucephalus a little skittish?"
"That is what they say at the stable; but I am not so easily scared."
"Why not use Sidney?"
"Sidney is not very well; he has had a bad cold. Still, if Gilbert is afraid of mounting Bucephalus"—there was an intentional covert sneer in Jasper's tone—"he can try Sidney."
Now Gilbert was not timid, and did not like to be considered so. Had he really known the character of the horse designed for him, his cousin's words would still have decided him to take the risk.
"I am not in the least afraid," he said. "I'll ride Bucephalus."
"Don't you think you had better take the other horse?" urged James Grey, hypocritically.
"No, sir," said Gilbert, with decision. "If Sidney is sick I would much rather try Bucephalus, even if he is a trifle spirited."
"A trifle spirited," thought his uncle. "I wouldn't trust myself on the brute for ten thousand dollars."
"If you're ready, Gilbert, we'll go out to the stable," said Jasper.