driving at.

"You surely have a wonderful influence over him," the lad with the
blarney continued. "A week or so ago I threw some bait at him just
to test him and he didn't even nibble. You know, in the old days
John and I often trotted in double harness to the track--bad place
for young men--sure!"

Bunch surveyed the property with a quick glance and said, "Yes, I
sent John a telegram. 'The two queens will be out this afternoon,'
I wired, meaning two horses that simply couldn't lose. 'They are
good girls, so treat them white,' I told him, meaning that he
should put up his roll on them and win a hatfull; but, Mrs. John, I
never touched him. He simply ignored my telegram and sat around in
the hammock all day, reading a novel, I suppose. I apologize to
you, Mrs. John, for trying to drag him away from the path of
rectitude, but, believe me, I didn't know when I sent the message
that he had promised you to give the ponies the long farewell!"

Clara J. laughed with happiness, all her doubts dispersed, and
said, "Oh, don't mention it, Mr. Bunch! I'm simply delighted to
welcome you to our new home. You have never been out here before,
have you?"

Bunch glanced at me, then through the open front door in the
direction of the scene of his downfall, and said, hesitatingly,
"Never before, thank you, kindly!"

Good old Bunch. He had squared me with my wife and the world--oh,
well, some day, perhaps, I'd get a chance to even up.