It was easy to see for the last quarter of a
mile that the other was making what is called 'a waiting race' of
it, and was only biding his time. There is nothing unfair in that,
I fancy Delhi might have won if he had had a better jockey. His
rider never really called upon him till it was too late. He was
so thoroughly satisfied with himself and his position in the race
that he was taken completely by surprise when Moonshee came suddenly
up to him."
"Well, I think it is very hard upon Delhi, father, after keeping
ahead all the way and going so nicely. I think everyone ought to
do their best from the first."
"I fancy you are thinking, Miss Hunter," the Doctor said, "quite
as much that it is hard on you being beaten after your hopes had
been raised, as it is upon the horse."
"Perhaps I am, Doctor," she admitted.
"I think it is much harder on me," Isobel said. "You have had the
satisfaction of thinking all along that your horse was going to
win, while mine never gave me the least bit of hope."
"The proper expression, Miss Hannay, is, your horse never flattered
you."
"Then I think it is a very silly expression, Mr. Wilson, because
I don't see that flattery has anything to do with it."
"Ah, here is Bathurst," the Doctor said. "Where have you been,
Bathurst? You slipped away from me just now."
"I've just been talking to the Commissioner, Doctor. I have been
trying to get him to see--"
"Why, you don't mean to say," the Doctor broke in, "that you have
been trying to cram your theories down his throat on a racecourse?"
"It was before the race began," Bathurst said, "and I don't think
the Commissioner has any more interest in racing than I have.
Pages:
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122