234 GARRYOWEN 



*' Wliat sort of money-lender is this Lewis? " 



" What sort? Why, there's only one sort of 

 money-lender, and that's a beast. There's nothing 

 to be done with Lewis. If he gets my address here, 

 he'll put in a man to seize Garry owen, and I'll be 

 kiboshed. Sure, it's enough to make one want to 

 tear one's hair. The colt's in the pink of condition. 

 Another week and he'll be perfect. There's 

 nothing that puts hoof to turf will beat him, and 

 to think of him being barred out of the race by a 

 beast of a money-lender and a bum-baihff is 

 enough to drive one crazy." 



" Look here," said Mr Dash wood, " why not go 

 to Lewis, explain all, and offer him haK profits 

 if the horse wins and he doesn't interfere with its 

 running? " 



"Give him haH profits!" shouted French, 

 nearly upsetting his tea-cup. " I'd cut his throat 

 first!" 



" They wouldn't be much use to him after," 

 said Miss Grimshaw, rising from the table. " What 

 time is it now? Ten? Well, shall we go down 

 to the schoolroom, Mr Dashwood, and see if there 

 is anything more to be done? Efiie can come too ; 

 it wiU keep her out of mischief." 



It was a glorious spring morning, the herald 

 of a perfect spring day. The hedges were sprinkled 

 with tiny points of green, and the Crowsnest 

 children, free of school, were gathering wild 

 violets and snowdrops and primroses in the woods 

 for bazaar purposes, 



