"No, I want to use your telephone first, if I may."
"Sure. Go ahead."
Stanley, who was under a car, poked his fawn's face out and asked:
"Know anything?"
"Not a thing, Stan. Haven't had a bet for months."
"I'm two pounds down on a cow called Bright Promise. That's what comes of putting your faith in horseflesh. Next time you know something—"
"Next time I have a bet I'll tell you. But it will still be horseflesh."
"As long as it's not a cow—" Stanley said, disappearing under the car again; and Robert moved into the hot bright little office and picked up the receiver.
It was Marion who answered, and her voice sounded warm and glad.
"You can't imagine what a relief your note was to us. Both my mother and I have been picking oakum for the last week. Do they still pick oakum, by the way?"