216 kate's day with the old horse 



a leather petticoat, little woman, and we'll run with 

 them since we can't ride." 



I think the old man struck the match to light 

 his pipe a shade more viciously than was necessary, 

 but he never winced, though he was perhaps re- 

 membering another 2nd of November when the 

 little woman was yet unborn, and he himself on 

 the best horse in the country was as good a man 

 "as ever holloaed to a hound," and in one fair 

 woman's eyes the best. 



Suddenly he put down his pipe and called, "Kate." 



" Yes, father." 



" Come down again for a minute." 



" All right, in half a second ; " and almost as 

 soon as she had promised Kate was in the room 

 again. 



" What is your will, sir ? " said she with a little 

 mocking courtesy. 



"Why, child, I was thinking that you at any rate 

 might ride to the meet. Your habit is packed away 

 somewhere ; Joe looked yesterday as fit as paint, 

 and, as Tim expressed it, ' is brimful of consate.' I 

 declare he has waxed fat and kicks, to the serious 

 detriment of his old tumble-down box." 



" No, father, if you don't ride, I shan't. If you 

 run, so shall I." 



" Do as you are bid, Kate, or rather, since you 



