"Women do get that excited over trifles," old John remarked, sarcastically. "She ain't got above 'alf-a-crown on the 'orse, if that. She don't care about the 'orse or the race--no woman ever did; it's all about some sweetheart that's been piling it on." "I wonder if you're right," said Esther, reflectively. "I never knew her before to take such an interest in a horse-race." On the day of the race Sarah came into the private bar about three o'clock. The news was not yet in. "Wouldn't you like to step into the parlour; you'll be more comfortable?" said Esther. "No thank you, dear; it is not worth while. I thought I'd like to know which won, that's all." "Have you much on?" "No, five shillings altogether.... But a friend of mine stands to win a good bit. I see you've got a new dress, dear. When did you get it?" "I've had the stuff by me some time. I only had it made up last month. Do you like it?" Sarah answered that she thought it very pretty. But Esther could see that she was thinking of something quite different. "The race is over now. It's run at half-past two." "Yes, but they're never quite punctual; there may be a delay at the post." "I see you know all about it." "One never hears of anything else." Esther asked Sarah when her people came back to town, and was surprised at the change of expression that the question brought to her friend's face. "They're expected back to-morrow," she said. "Why do you ask?" "Oh, nothing; something to say, that's all." The conversation paused, and the two women looked at each other. At that moment a voice coming rapidly towards them was heard calling, "Win-ner, win-ner!" "I'll send out for the paper," said Esther. "No, no... Suppose he shouldn't have won?" "Well, it won't make any difference." "Oh, Esther, no; some one will come in and tell us. The race can't be over yet; it is a long race, and takes some time to run." By this time the boy was far away, and fainter and fainter the terrible word, "Win-ner, win-ner, win-ner." "It's too late now," said Sarah; "some one'll come in presently and tell us about it.... I daresay it ain't the paper at all. Them boys cries out anything that will sell." "Win-ner, win-ner." The voice was coming towards them. "If he has won, Bill and I is to marry.... Somehow I feel as if he hasn't." "Win-ner." "We shall soon know." Esther took a halfpenny from the till. "Don't you think we'd better wait? It can't be printed in the papers, not the true account, and if it was wrong--" Esther didn't answer; she gave Charles the halfpenny; he went out, and in a few minutes came back with the paper in his hand. "Tornado first, Ben Jonson second, Woodcraft third," he read out. "That's a good thing for the guv'nor. There was very few what backed Tornado.... He's only lost some place-money." "So he was only second," said Sarah, turning deadly pale. "They said he was certain to win."