'What about the "up-country imp" now?'
Ashton scowled at him and made no reply.
CHAPTER XXX
IN THE DAYS OF PROSPERITY
'It is five years since Grey Bird won the Sydney Cup, and I feel all the excitement over again as I look at him,' said Dr Tom, as he admired the handsome grey who was now doing stud duty at Cudgegong.
'You will never ride a better race than that, Willie—never. Don't you wish you had accepted Mr M.'s offer and remained to ride for his stable? Think of the big races he has won, and you would have ridden all those winners. What a triumph that would have been!'
'I am far happier here,' said Willie Dennis. 'My father has been so kind to me ever since I was a little chap that it would have been selfish on my part to leave him in his loneliness. It was no sacrifice, I assure you, Dr Tom, because I love station life.'
'You are a good lad, and your father may well be proud of you. I expect you will be married one of these days,' said Dr Tom.
'No prospects of it yet,' said Willie, laughing; 'and I am quite contented.'
'I must look round for a suitable mate,' said Dr Tom. 'It is not good for man to live alone.'