'Quite well enough, sir.'
'You did not do it?'
'No,' said Wych Hazel—'that Norwegian pirate took her for his own use, and I walked.'
'Wouldn't let you ride her, eh?' and a curious gleam came into
Mr. Falkirk's eyes.
' "Wanted to try her first"—and was "bound to be afraid, though I was not"—and "couldn't answer it to you"—and so forth and so forth. A man can generally find words enough.'
'Depend upon it, my dear, he generally borrows them of a woman.' Mr. Falkirk's face relaxed slightly, and he took a turn across the room; then stood still. 'Why didn't you ride the cob home?—he is there still, isn't he?'
'I did not choose, sir. I should, if I had been asked properly.'
'Were you not asked?'
'No, except by having my saddle put on that horse and then not taking it off.'
'You made the demand?'