"Because they were petting you and making too much of you. You won't get
such treatment as that from me."

"I don't expect it," said our hero.

"That's lucky," said Abner Holden, dryly. "It's well that people
shouldn't expect what they are not likely to get."

Here a sense of the ludicrous came over Herbert as he thought of being
Mr. Holden's pet, and he laughed heartily. Not understanding the reason
of his sudden mirth, that gentleman demanded, in a tone of irritation,
"What are you making a fool of yourself about?"

"What am I laughing at?" said Herbert, not liking the form of the
question.

"Yes," snarled Abner.

"The idea of being your pet," explained Herbert, frankly.

Mr. Holden did not appreciate the joke, and said roughly, "You better
shut up, if you know what's best for yourself."

They rode along in silence for a few minutes. Then Abner Holden,
thinking suddenly of the envelope which Dr. Kent had placed in Herbert's
hand at parting, and feeling curious as to its contents, asked:

"What did the doctor give you just as you were starting?"