"Oh, a fellow from the South somewhere."
"Well, Keith knows his business!" said Mr. Stirling, with a nod of genuine admiration.
Wickersham uttered an imprecation and turned back into the house.
Next day Mr. Stirling caught Wickersham in a group of young men at the club, and told them the story.
"Look out for Keith," he said. "He gave me a lesson."
Wickersham growled an inaudible reply.
"Who was the lady? Wickersham tries to capture so many prizes, what you say gives us no light," said Mr. Minturn, one of the men.
"Oh, no. I'll only tell you it's not the one you think," said the jolly bachelor. "But I am going to take lessons of that man Keith. These countrymen surprise me sometimes."
"He was a d----d stage-driver," said Wickersham.
"Then you had better take lessons from him, Ferdy," said Stirling. "He drives well. He's a veteran."