RACEGOERS AND RACEGOING 273 



" I fancy it very much," the owner replies, 

 " I make out that it certainly must have 10 lb. or 

 1 2 lb. in hand, and I don't see how it can be 

 beaten, as it is so well just now." 



" Thanks very much," is the not too grammat- 

 ical acknowledgment. " I must have a bit on 

 then. Very good of you to tell me." 



" What did he say ? " Someone's friend inquires, 

 having watched the little interview, and accurately 

 comprehended the nature of it. 



" He says it's sure to win — can't be beat ; he 

 thinks it has over a stone in hand," the inquirer is 

 told — it is odd how people exaggerate the good- 

 ness of these good things — and he smiles contemp- 

 tuously. 



" Told you that, did he ? " the other rejoins. 

 " Well, you may back it if you like, but / sha'n't ! 

 He would not give it away like that if he really 

 fancied it. He is telling everybody the same tale, 

 putting it about all over the place. I wipe him 

 out ; he won't win ! " 



He does nevertheless and notwithstanding, with 

 great ease, and as nearly as can be reckoned with 

 the 10 lb. or 12 lb. to spare. The suspicious man 

 angrily shakes his head and says he can't under- 

 stand it ! There is something far too mysterious 

 for him about the whole business. 



T 



