eyes.
"Never mind what he says, Syd. You're not fat."

"Yes, he is, miss; too fat for a light-weight. But I don't want him to
be always quarrelling with. Put it the other way, then. What's your
people going to do for you?"

"Don't know," said the boy, taking out his cigarette-case.

"No, o' course you don't; that's what I'm a-saying. You don't. But I
do. That's where it is. There, don't get smoking them nasty,
rubbishing things in my 'all and making it not fit for a gent as knows
what's what to come in. Smoke one of them."

The trainer drew a handful of big dark cigars with gold bands from his
breast-pocket, and held them out for the lad to take one, which he did
readily.

"Thank ye. Partagas, sir?"

"Oh, you do know something, then?" growled the trainer, biting off the
end and proceeding to strike a match, which he held ready, so that he
and his son-in-law could join ends, and draw in a friendly way, much to
the satisfaction of the young lady, who smiled to herself and said--

"They're coming round."

"Suppose we shake hands now, Mr Simpkins, and say done," cried Syd,
blowing a big cloud in his father-in-law's face.

"Don't you be in a hurry, young fellow. As I was a-saying, about your
people. Do you think my lady, your aunt, will find you in money to keep
house for a trainer's daughter?"

"N-n-no," said Syd, sadly.

"No, it is, young man. If you'd wanted to be secketary to a society for
the propergation o' something or another, she'd be all there with a big
subscription; but she won't give yer tuppence now."

"No, but uncle will," cried Syd, eagerly. "He's the right sort."

"Him? Tchah! Why, my lady won't let him have enough to pay his own
tailor's bills. I know all about that. What about the old man?"

"Grandfather?"

"Yes. S'pose you took Molly down promiscus like, and showed him her
paces; he might take a fancy to her, eh?"

"Yes," cried Molly. "Capital, father! Syd will take me down to see his
grandfather. Won't you, Syd?"

"Take you anywhere, darling; only not to-day."

"Who said to-day, little stupid? There, now, it's all right, ain't it,
dad?"

"Don't you be in such a flurry, my gal; 'tain't whipping and spurring
like mad as gets you first past the post. Steady does it. Now, young
gentleman, look here."

"Oh, dear me, dad, how you do like to talk!" cried the girl, pettishly.

"Do you hear me, sir? Leave the girl alone. You don't want everyone to
know you'r