"Two pair of horses,--for a week certain, and perhaps longer, and
two carriages. How am I to let anyone have two pair of horses for a
week certain,--and perhaps longer? What are other customers to do?
I can supply a gentleman by the month and buy horses to suit; or I
can supply him by the job. But I guess Mr. Morton don't well know
how things are managed in this country. He'll have to learn.

"What day does he come?"

"They haven't told me that yet, Mr. Morton."



CHAPTER VII

The Walk Home


Mary Masters, when Reginald Morton had turned his back upon her at
the bridge, was angry with herself and with him, which was
reasonable; and very angry also with Larry Twentyman, which was
unreasonable. As she had at once acceded to Morton's proposal that
they should walk round the house together, surely he should not
have deserted her so soon. It had not been her fault that the other
man had come up. She had not wanted him. But she was aware that
when the option had in some sort been left to herself, she had
elected to walk back with Larry. She knew her own motives and her
own feelings, but neither of the men would understand them. Because
she preferred the company of Mr. Morton, and had at the moment
feared that her sisters would have deserted her had she followed