'Oh, Bertie, was it true then?' 'What, you don't mean that they have heard?' 'That you were out at those Colbeam races!' 'To be sure I was, with Stanhope and Hailes and a lot more. We all went except the little kids and Sisson, who is in regular training for as great a muff as the governor there. Who told him?' 'Mr. Hailes, who is very much concerned about his grandson.' 'Old sneak; I wonder how he ferreted it out. Is there no end of a jaw coming, Con?' 'I don't know. Uncle Frank seemed quite knocked down and wretched over it. He said something about feeling hopeless, and the old blood coming out to be your ruin.' 'Of course it's the old blood! How did he miss it, and turn into the intolerable old dry fogey that he is, without a notion of anything fit for a gentleman?' 'Now, Herbert--' 'Oh yes. You should just hear what the other fellows say about him. Their mothers and their sisters say there is not so stupid a place in the county, he hasn't a word to say for himself, and they would just as soon go to Portland at once as to a party here.' 'Then it is a great shame! I am sure Aunt Mary works hard to make it pleasant for them!' 'Oh yes, good soul, she does, she can't help it; but when people have stuck in the mud all their lives, they can't know any better, and it is abominably hard on a fellow who does, to be under a man who has been an office cad all his life, and doesn't know what is expected of a gentleman! Screwing us all up like beggars--' 'Herbert, for shame! for shame! As if he was obliged to do anything at all for us!' 'Oh, isn't he? A pretty row my mother would kick up about his ears if he did not, when I must come after him at this place, too!' 'I think you are very ungrateful,' said Constance, with tears, 'when they are so good to us.' 'Oh, they are as kind as they know how, but they don't know. That's the thing, or old Frank would be ashamed to give me such a dirty little allowance. He has only himself to thank if I have to come upon him for more. Found out about the Blackbird colt, has he? What a bore! And tin I must have out of him by hook or by crook if he cuts up ever so rough. I must send off this bird first by the post to confute Stanhope and make him eat dirt, and then see what's to be done.' 'Indeed, Bertie, I don't think you will see him to-night. His head is dreadful, and Aunt Mary has sent for Mr. Trotman.' 'Whew! You have not got anything worth having, I suppose, Conny?' 'Only fifteen shillings. I meant it for-- But you shall have it, dear Bertie, if it will only save worrying them.' 'Fifteen bob! Fifteen farthings you might as well offer. No, no, you soft little monkey, I must see what is to be made of him or her ladyship, one or the other, to-day or to-morrow. If they know I have been at the place it is half the battle. Consequence was! Provided they don't smell out this unlucky piebald! I wish Stanhope hadn't been such a beast!'