The Great Dowxshire Handicap 65 



' Halloa, my lad ! how are you getting on ? ' Cecil 

 asked good-naturedly. ' How do you like a training 

 stable ? ' 



* Very much, sir, thank you,' the lad replied with a 

 flushed face, pleased to be spoken to. 



' Are you learning to ride ? ' the gentleman con- 

 tinued. 



' I hope so, sir ; I'm trying. I've only been off twice, 

 sir,' he continued with some pride. 



' Well, my lad, do as you are told, try your best, keep 

 your wits about you and your mouth shut, and you'll get 

 on. Mr. Chattress will look after you if you behave, I've 

 no doubt.' Something passed from Cecil's pocket to the 

 boy's hand, and with a grateful ' Thank you very much, 

 sir,' he led away the hack. 



' Who's your friend ? Howard inquired. 



' He's the son of an old servant, a very good man. 

 The boy was wild about being a jockey, and sensible 

 enough, too, to know that he couldn't get into a silk 

 jacket and win the Derby without roughing it, and 

 learning his work from the beginning. Dick's kindly 

 taken him on, and will make something of him, I hope.' 



* He's a nice, well-behaved boy,' Chattress remarked, 

 looking after Auburn's protege, ' and he seems to frame 

 pretty well ; though whether he'll ever make a jockey it's 

 too early to say. But come in, gentlemen, and have 

 some lunch.' 



The well-fried trout, the plump chicken and home- 

 cured bacon, the leg of mutton fed on the sweet grass of 

 the neighbouring downs, and '80 Perrier Jouet received 

 ample justice, and the thoughtful look to some extent 

 disappeared from Cecil's face as they talked over the 

 entries for the coming race. When he began his lunch 



