Sangster laughed.
"Oh, all about Upton House, and the fine time you used to have there; all about the dogs, and an old horse named Judas."
She laughed too, now.
"Judas—he died last year. He was so old, and nearly blind; but he always knew my step and came to the gate." Her voice sounded wistful. "Jimmy used to ride him round the field, standing up on his back," she went on eagerly. "Jimmy could ride anything."
"Jimmy is a very wonderful person," said Sangster gravely.
She looked rather puzzled.
"Do you mean that?" she asked. "Or are you—are you joking?"
He felt suddenly ashamed.
"I mean it, of course," he said gently. "I am very fond of Jimmy, though I haven't known him as long as you have."
"How long?" she asked.