"Yes, indeed, my dear Tom; I noticed it instantly. Sweet Hester! This might be her younger sister. Yes! yes! Tempo passato, eh, brother? We are old fellows, but we once were young."
"Stuff and nonsense!" cried the Colonel, throwing off his mood with sudden violence. "Speak for yourself, sir! If a man chooses to spend his days hunched over a table, making fiddles, I don't say how things may turn out with him; but for myself,—here, Young Sir! bring me a hockey-stick, will you?"
Hugh, prancing by in full career, paused, and surveyed his guardian with dreamy eyes.
"Hi-hi-hi!" he replied, with a creditable attempt at a whinny.
The Colonel stiffened to "attention."
"What did I understand you to remark, sir?" he inquired. "I experience a difficulty in following your interesting observation."
"Hi-hi-hi!" repeated the boy. "I am Pegasus; I do not understand your language. I will find Bellerophon, and send him to you."
He retired a few paces, and gravely removed his tail, then came back, beaming with cheerfulness, every inch a boy.
"What was it you wanted, Guardian?" he cried. "I was a horse then, you see, so I really couldn't; please excuse me!"
"I wanted a hockey-stick, sir!" said the Colonel, with some severity. "And it is my opinion that two-legged horses would better keep their wits about them.