"If you are going to make a habit of running up and down to town and the ends of the earth on ridiculous business and worrying everyone's life out with time-tables (it was notorious Christopher never consulted anyone about his comings and goings), you must understand you cannot use Renata's carriage and pair for your station work. Max's pony is not up to your weight, neither is the station fly. I find on inquiry my father occasionally requires his motor for his own use; anyhow, it is not supposed to get muddy. So you had better buy one for yourself." He held out a blank signed cheque. Christopher looked from one to the other. It was the dream of his life to possess a motor, but this free gift of one was overwhelming. "Of course," went on Caesar hastily, "I shan't give you a birthday present too. It's to get out of that, you understand. You are twenty-one, aren't you? And it's only half mine, the other half is from St. Michael. I don't know where your manners are, Christopher; I thought I had brought you up to be polite. Go and thank the gentleman nicely." Christopher turned to Mr. Aston, but he was beyond words. He could only look his overwhelming gratitude. "It's not I," said that gentleman, hastily. "I only told Caesar I'd like to go shares--the lamps or bells or something. Get a good horn with a good rich tone." Christopher took the cheque with shaking fingers. "I can't thank you, Caesar, it's too big. Why didn't you let me earn it?" "I wanted to prove to you the justice of Sam's opinion of me. Hurry up; you'll miss your train if there is one at this hour at all." "You've not filled up the cheque." "Not I. From what I know of your business methods you'll get what you want at half the price I should. I'm not going to let St. Michael fling away good money." In his excitement Christopher forgot to wait for Patricia, who had promised to walk to the station with him. (Caesar's complaint anent the horse vehicles was even more unfounded than his grievance over the time-table.) But seeing him start, she ran after him and made some candid and sisterly remarks on his behaviour and was only mollified by a full explanation of his unwonted state of elation. The rest of the walk was spent in discussing the merits of various species of motors. CHAPTER XIV