He looked round to see if his mother or the servant were there, and
when he found that the coast was clear, he dashed his hands to his
eyes and knocked away the tears. He threw up both his arms and
groaned, and then he remembered her message, "Bid him be a man."
At that moment he heard the sound of horses, and going near the
window, so as to be hidden from curious eyes as they passed, he saw
the first whip trot on, with the hounds after him, and Tony Tuppett
among them. Then there was a long string of horsemen, all moving up
to the wood, and a carriage or two, and after them the stragglers
of the field. He let them all go by, and then he repeated the words
again, "Bid him be a man."
He took up his hat, jammed it on his head, and went out into the
yard. As he crossed to the stables Runciman came up alone. "Why,
Larry, you'll be late," he said.
"Go on, Mr. Runciman, I'll follow."
"I'll wait till you are mounted. You'll be better for somebody with
you. You've got the mare, have you? You'll show some of them your
heels if they get away from here. Is she as fast as she was last
year, do you think?"
"Upon my word I don't know," said Larry, as he dragged himself into
the saddle.
"Shake yourself, old fellow, and don't carry on like that. What is
she after all but a girl?" The poor fellow looked at his intending
comforter, but couldn't speak a word.
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