When we gets to the house there's an old gent, with gray hair, settin' on
the porch. He gets up when he sees us, 'n' limps down the steps with a
cane.
"'Don't disturb yourself, Governor!' says Mr. Van. 'Anybody here?'
"'No, I'm alone,' says the old gent. 'Your sister is with the
Dandridges. Your man came this morning, so I was expecting you.' Then
he looks at Rainbow. 'What's that?' he says.
"'A horse I've bought,' says Mr. Van. 'I'm thinking of going in for
hunting.'
"'Oh! _She's_ brought you to it, has she?' says the old gent. '_I_
never could. Why do you bring the horse here?'
"Mr. Van flushes up.
"'You know what a duffer I am on a horse, Governor,' he says. 'Well, I
want to try for the Melford Cup. I'd like to build a course on the
place, and school myself under your direction.'
"'Ah, ha!' says the old gent. 'And then the conquering hero will descend
on Melford, to capture the place in general, and one of its fair
daughters in particular!'
"'Something like that,' says Mr. Van.
"'I'll be glad to help you all I can,' says the old gent, 'just so long
as you don't bring one of those stinking things you usually inhabit on
these premises!'
"'It's a bargain. I've already sent the one I came in to Ralph
Williamson,' says Mr. Van, 'n' we takes Rainbow to the stables.
"I liked Mr. Van's old man right away, 'n' when he finds out I knows as
much about a hoss as he does, he treats me like a brother.
"He gets busy quick, 'n' has the men fix up a mile course on the place
with eight fences in it--some of 'em fierce.
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