"Given to the first! Why, that's Esther! Why should she get it?... What do you mean? No third! Wasn't Soap-bubble third?" "Yes, Soap-bubble was third right enough, but he wasn't in the sweep." "And why wasn't he?" "Because he wasn't among the eleven first favourites. We took them as they were quoted in the betting list published in the _Sportsman_." "How was it, then, that you put in Silver Braid?" "Yer needn't get so angry, Sarah, no one's cheating; it is all above board. If you don't believe us, you'd better accuse us straight out." "What I want to know is, why Silver Braid was included?--he wasn't among the eleven first favourites." "Oh, don't be so stupid, Sarah; you know that we agreed to make an exception in favour of our own 'orse--a nice sweep it would 'ave been if we 'adn't included Silver Braid." "And suppose," she exclaimed, tightening her brows, "that Soap-bubble had won, what would have become of our money?" "It would have been returned--everyone would have got his shilling back." "And now I am to get three shillings, and that little Methodist or Plymouth Brethren there, whatever you like to call her, is to get nine!" said Sarah, with a light of inspiration flashing through her beer-clouded mind. "Why should the two shillings that would have gone to Soap-bubble, if anyone 'ad drawn 'im, go to the first 'orse rather than to the second?" William hesitated, unable for the moment to give a good reason why the extra two shillings should be given to Silver Braid; and Sarah, perceiving her advantage, deliberately accused him of wishing to favour Esther. "Don't we know that you went out to walk with her, and that you remained out till nearly eleven at night. That's why you want all the money to go to her. You don't take us for a lot of fools, do you? Never in any place I ever was in before would such a thing be allowed--the footman going out with the kitchen-maid, and one of the Dissenting lot." "I am not going to have my religion insulted! How dare you?" And Esther started up from her place; but William was too quick for her. He grasped her arm. "Never mind what Sarah says." "Never mind what I says! ...A thing like that, who never was in a situation before; no doubt taken out of some 'ouse. Rescue work, I think they call it----" "She shan't insult me--no, she shan't!" said Esther, tremulous with passion. "A nice sort of person to insult!" said Sarah, her arms akimbo. "Now look you here, Sarah Tucker," said Mrs. Latch, starting from her seat, "I'm not going to see that girl aggravated, so that she may do what she shouldn't do, and give you an opportunity of going to the missis with tales about her. Come away, Esther, come with me. Let them go on betting if they will; I never saw no good come of it." "That's all very fine, mother; but it must be settled, and we have to divide the money." "I don't want your money," said Esther, sullenly; "I wouldn't take it."