"The letter has cost you five pounds, let the matter drop and think no more about it."
"Feltham is not far from Kempton Park," said Irene. "I wonder if Warren knows anything about the place?"
"Probably. Ask him when he returns home," said the Squire. "By the way, Irene, I had almost forgotten it is New Year's Day. We are not a very jolly household for the occasion, but we must not commence another year with gloomy thoughts and melancholy countenances."
"I hope this year will bring Ulick home again," she said.
"So do I, with all my heart," said the Squire. "There's Eli coming up the walk, I wonder what he wants."
"Shall I tell Bob to send him in when he arrives?" she asked.
"Yes, do, Irene."
Eli Todd came into the room, and wished them a cheery Happy New Year. "We have made a good start at the stud, although I had a terribly anxious time of it," he said.
"Made a good start, what do you mean?" said the Squire. "There are no foals yet?"
"Only one," replied Eli, smiling, "and he was precious near being born before midnight. As luck would have it, he came into the world a quarter of an hour after, so that is all right."