"I agree with you," he returned, rising. "Tell 'Zekiel to saddle the
Maid. After dinner I will let him take a telegram to the office."

He returned to the house without further words, and Mrs. Forbes called
to her son in a voice that had a wrathful quaver.

"What you got your back up about?" inquired Zeke softly, after a careful
look to see that his august master had departed.

"Never you mind. Mr. Evringham wants you should saddle his horse and
bring her round. I want he should see you can do it lively."

"Ain't she a beaut'!" exclaimed Zeke as he led out the mare. "She'd
ought to be shown, she had."

"Shown! Better not expose your ignorance where Mr. Evringham can hear
you. That mare's taken two blue ribbons already."

"Showed they knew their business," returned Zeke imperturbably. "I
s'pose the old gent don't care any more for her than he does for his
life."

"I guess he loves her the best of anything in this world."

"Love! The governor love anything or anybody! That's good," remarked
the young fellow, while Essex Maid watched his movements about her with
gentle, curious eyes.

"I do believe she misses Fanshaw and notices the difference," remarked
Mrs. Forbes.