Gunning.

"A horse-deal!" repeated Mrs. Spicer incredulously. "Fanny buying a
horse! Oh, impossible!"

"Well, I don't know about that," said Mr. Gunning, "she's trying pretty
hard. I gave her my opinion--"

"I'll take my oath you did," observed Captain Spicer.

"--And as she didn't seem to want it, I came away," continued Mr.
Gunning imperturbably. "Be calm, Maudie; it takes two days and two
nights to buy a horse in these parts; you'll be home in plenty of time
to interfere, and here's the car. Don't waste the morning."

[Illustration: "A SILENCE THAT WAS THE OUTCOME PARTLY OF STUPIDITY,
PARTLY OF CAUTION, AND PARTLY OF LACK OF ENGLISH SPEECH."]

"I never know if you're speaking the truth or no," complained Mrs.
Spicer; nevertheless, she scrambled on to the car without delay. She and
her brother had at least one point in common--the fanatic enthusiasm of
the angler.

In the meantime, Miss Fanny Fitzroy's negotiations were proceeding in
the hotel yard. Fanny herself was standing in a stable doorway, with her
hands in the pockets of her bicycle skirt. She had no hat on, and the
mild breeze blew her hair about; it was light brown, with a brightness
in it; her eyes also were light brown, with gleams in them like the
shallow places in a Connemara trout stream. At this moment they were
scanning with approval, tempered by anxiety, the muddy legs of a lean