When the race was finished the visitors ran backward and forwards, congratulating or condoling with each other. Many a long face was pulled as the bets were paid: many a jolly face broadened and became more jolly as the money went into pocket. And then I saw what is meant by the old saying about money made over the devil's back. For those who lost, lost outright, which cannot be denied: but those who won immediately took their friends to the booths where beer and wine and rum were sold, and straightway got rid of a portion of their winnings. No doubt the rest went in the course of the day in debauchery. So that the money won upon the race benefited no one except the people who sold drink. And they, to my mind, are the last persons whom one would wish to benefit, considering what a dreadful thing in this country is the curse of drink. If Will looked a gallant rider on horseback, he cut but a sorry figure among the gentlemen when he came forth from the paddock, having taken off his jacket and put on again his wig, coat, and waistcoat. For he walked heavily, rolling in his gait (as a ploughboy not a sailor), and his clothes were muddy and disordered, while his wig was awry. Lady Levett beckoned to him, and he came towards us sheepishly bold, as is the way with rustic gentlemen. "So, Will," shouted his father heartily, "thou hast won the match. Well rode, my boy!" "Well rode!" cried all. "Well rode!" He received our congratulations with a grin of satisfaction, saluting the company with a grin, and his knuckles to his forehead like a jockey. On recovering, he examined us all leisurely. "Ay," he said. "There you are, Harry, talking to the women about books and poetry and stuff. What good is that when a race is on? Might as well have stayed at Cambridge. Well, Nancy--oh! I warrant you, so fine as no one in the country would know you. Fine feathers make fine birds, and----" here he saw me, and stared hard with his mouth open. "Gad so!--it's Kitty! Hoop! Hollo!" Upon this he put both hands to his mouth and raised such a shout that we all stopped our ears, and the dogs barked and ran about furiously, as if in search of a fox. "Found again! Kitty, I am right glad to see thee. Did I ride well? Were you proud to see me coming in by a neck? Thinks I, 'I don't care who's looking on, but I'll show them Will Levett knows how to ride.' If I'd known it was you I would have landed the stakes by three clear lengths, I would. Let me look at thee, Kitty. Now, gentlemen, by your leave." He shoved aside Lord Chudleigh, and Harry, and pushed between them. "Let me look at thee well--ay! more fine feathers--but"--here he swore great oaths--"there never was anything beneath them but the finest of birds ever hatched." "Thank you, Will, for the compliment," I began. "Why, if any one should compliment you, Kitty, who but I?" I thought of the broken sixpence and trembled.