"Do you want me to charge Mr. Grey for my services?" asked Gilbert, laughing.
"Shure he could afford to pay you," answered John, "and that handsome."
"How far did you go, Jasper?" inquired his father.
"About eight miles, sir."
"Well, you must be tired and hungry. Come into the house, and the cook shall send you up some lunch."
"I am not in the least hungry, sir," said Gilbert. "We lunched at a hotel in the next town."
Jasper accompanied his father into the house, but Gilbert remained behind five minutes longer. John's good-natured anxiety for his safety had enlisted his good will, and he thought he would like to chat a while with him.
"You seem to be surprised at my coming home safe," he said.
"Yes, sir—shure I am. You're the only one I know that could manage the ugly brute, let alone a horse-tamer."
"But Jasper has ridden on him. Don't you think I can manage him as well as Jasper?"