"You've a heavy book on the Derby. Perhaps an outsider'll win." "I 'ope so.... But if you'd care to see the race, I think it can be managed. I shall be busy, but Journeyman or Ketley will look after you." "I don't know that I should care to walk about all day with Journeyman, nor Ketley neither." They were both tired, and with an occasional remark they undressed and got into bed. Esther laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.... "I wonder if there's any one going who you'd care for?" "I don't care a bit about it, Bill." The conversation paused. At the end of a long silence William said-- "It do seem strange that you who has been mixed up in it so much should never have seen a race." Esther didn't answer. She was falling asleep, and William's voice was beginning to sound vague in her ears. Suddenly she felt him give her a great shove. "Wake up, old girl, I've got it. Why not ask your old pal, Sarah Tucker, to go with us? I heard John say she's out of situation. It'll be a nice treat for her." "Ah.... I should like to see Sarah again." "You're half asleep." "No, I'm not; you said we might ask Sarah to come to the Derby with us." William regretted that he had not a nice trap to drive them down. To hire one would run into a deal of money, and he was afraid it might make him late on the course. Besides, the road wasn't what it used to be; every one goes by train now. They dropped off to sleep talking of how they should get Sarah's address. Three or four days passed, and one morning William jumped out of bed and said-- "I think it will be a fine day, Esther." He took out his best suit of clothes, and selected a handsome silk scarf for the occasion. Esther was a heavy sleeper, and she lay close to the wall, curled up. Taking no notice of her, William went on dressing; then he said-- "Now then, Esther, get up. Teddy will be here presently to pack up my clothes." "Is it time to get up?" "Yes, I should think it was. For God's sake, get up." She had a new dress for the Derby. It had been bought in Tottenham Court Road, and had only come home last night. A real summer dress! A lilac pattern on a white ground, the sleeves and throat and the white hat tastefully trimmed with lilac and white lace; a nice sunshade to match. At that moment a knock came at the door. "All right, Teddy, wait a moment, my wife's not dressed yet. Do make haste, Esther." Esther stepped into the skirt so as not to ruffle her hair, and she was buttoning the bodice when little Mr. Blamy entered. "Sorry to disturb you, ma'am, but there isn't no time to lose if the governor don't want to lose his place on the 'ill." "Now then, Teddy, make haste, get the toggery out; don't stand there talking." The little man spread the Gladstone bag upon the floor and took a suit of checks from the chest of drawers, each square of black and white nearly as large as a sixpence.