BILL'S CHANGE. 89 



boy has improved in his riding as well. He'll make a jockey 

 some day." 



" Have you had him long ? I seem to remember his face, 

 and he looks a cut above the ordinary run of stable lads." 



" Not more than six months, sir," said Fielding. " He's a 

 good working lad, and will get on. His father had a big 

 farm in Lincolnshire, but came to grief, and the boy had to 

 turn out." 



"What's his name?" 



"Daubeney; William Newcombe Daubeney." 



"Why, there was a Newcombe Daubeney with me at 

 Harrow; he came from Lincolnshire. Turned out a great 

 steeplechase rider afterwards. I shouldn't wonder if this is 

 his son. I remember how I envied him when I was glued to 

 that stool in Whitehall, and he often used to send me word of 

 a good thing to back over sticks. I should like to do the 

 son a good turn for the sake of his father." 



After breakfast, while making a tour of inspection, the 

 trainer sent for the subject of the foregoing conversation. 



"Mr. Dalton wishes to speak to you, Daubeney," he 

 said. 



" Mr. Fielding tells me that you come from Lincolnshire,'* 

 said Dalton. "May I ask if you are any relation to the 

 Newcombe Daubeney who was a contemporary of mine at 

 Harrow ? " 



Daubeney coloured slightly. " Yes, sir," he replied. " I 

 told father that I had charge of one of your horses, and he 

 said that you were at school with him." 



" I am very sorry to hear that your father, who was once 

 a great friend of mine, has fallen upon evil times, and if I 

 can help you in any way I shall be pleased to do so, for 

 his sake." 



"Thank you, sir. If you could get m6 the chance of 

 wearing silk some day I should be much obliged to you. I 



