The steely look returned to the host's eyes. "No one rides the Maid but
myself," he returned coldly.

"I beg you to believe, grandfather, that I don't wish to ride her," said
Eloise, her customary languor of manner gone and her voice hard. "Mother
is more ambitious for me than I am for myself. I should be very much
obliged if she would allow me to ask favors when I want them."

Mrs. Forbes's lips were set in a tight line as she filled Mrs.
Evringham's glass.

That lady's heart was beating a little fast from vexation, and also from
the knowledge that a time of reckoning with her child was coming.

"Oh, very well," she said airily. "No wonder you are careful of that
beautiful creature. I caught Eloise with her arms around the mare's neck
the other day, and I couldn't help wishing for a kodak. You feed her
with sugar, don't you Eloise?"

"I hope not, I'm sure!" exclaimed Mr. Evringham sternly.

"I'll not do it again, grandfather," said the girl, her very ears
burning.

Mrs. Evringham sighed and gave one Parthian shot. "The poor child does
love horses so," she murmured softly.

The host scowled and fidgeted in his chair with a brusque gesture to
Mrs. Forbes to remove the course.