Esther Waters

had laid the cloth in the servants' hall for supper. But if little was eaten upstairs, plenty was eaten downstairs; the mutton was finished in a trice, and Mrs. L

t, and four bottles of port were sent down so that

eemed disposed to shorten his narrative. The criticism of the Demon's horsemanship took a long while, for by a variety of suggestive remarks William led Mr. Leopold into reminiscences of the skill of certain famous jockeys in the first half of the century. These digressions wearied Sarah and Grover, and their thoughts wandered to the dresses that had been worn that day, and the lady's-maid remembered she would hear all that interested her that night in the young ladies' rooms. At last, losing all patience, Sarah declared that she didn't care what Chifney had said when he just managed to squeeze his horse's head in front in the last doze

im. There wasn't twopence-halfpenny worth of strength in him-pulling off those three or four pounds pretty well finished him. He'll never be able

he'd stop playing marbl

k public

into line. However, at the third attempt they were got straight and away they came, a black line stretching right across the course. Presently the black cap and jacket came to the front, and not very long after a murmur went round, 'Silver Braid

eopold said, "There, they are wanti

garet; "they can wait. Fin

lowered his voice, and his face became grave as he recalled that perilous moment. "I thought it was all over," he said, "and the Gaffer thought the same; I never saw a man go so deadly pale. It was all the work of a moment, but that moment was more than a year-at least, so it seemed to me. Well, about half-way up the rails the Tinman got level with the Demon. It was ten to one that Silver Braid would turn it up, or that the boy wouldn't 'ave the strength to ride out so close a finish as it was bound to be. I thought then of the way you used to take him along from Portslade, and I'd have given something to've put a pound or two of flesh into his thighs and arms. The Tinman was riding splendid, ge

ackward glances and a look of anger crossed her face, and calling to William she asked him when the sweepstakes money would be divided. The questi

Swindles and Wall…. Well, it was agreed that seven should go to the first, three to the second, and two to the third. N

! Why should she get it?… What do you m

hird right enough, but

hy was

ourites. We took them as they were quoted in

n, that you put

ating; it is all above board. If you don't bel

er Braid was included?-he wasn't

o make an exception in favour of our own 'orse-a nice swe

ng her brows, "that Soap-bubble had wo

rned-everyone would have

r, is to get nine!" said Sarah, with a light of inspiration flashing through her beer-clouded mind. "Why should the two

extra two shillings should be given to Silver Braid; and Sarah, perceiv

y you want all the money to go to her. You don't take us for a lot of fools, do you? Never in any place I ever was

are you?" And Esther started up from her place; but

nd what S

ever was in a situation before; no doubt taken out

she shan't!" said Esther

n to insult!" said Sa

avated, so that she may do what she shouldn't do, and give you an opportunity of going to the missis with tales

; but it must be settled, and

y," said Esther, sullen

ust take your money. Ah, here'

first and second; but Sarah refused to accept this decision. Finally, it was proposed that the matter should be referred to the editor

ference between you is two shillings, that were to have gone to the third horse if anyone had drawn him. Mr. Leopold says it ought to be divided; you, Sarah, won'

ng to take the two shillings, nor yet one of them; let them give her the three she had won-that was all she wanted. William looked at her, shrugged his should

I am going to finish my smoke in the pantry. Don't scratch a

and the men had smoked some m

any chance of winning

Gaffer I think I'd put up a bigger boy. He'll 'ave to carry a

m Chicken in a booth, and, not knowing who he was, had offered to fight him, Mr. Leopold confessed he did not know how to act-he had a bet of fifty pounds to ten shillings for the double event; should he stand it out or lay some of it off? William thrilled with admiration. What a 'ead, and who'd think it? that little 'ead, hardly bigger than a cocoanut! What a brain there was inside! Fifty pounds to

of the barman and the customers were heard calling, "Two glasses of Burton, glass of bitter, three of whiskey cold." There were

n to wet his whistle. He walked back to his office with Mr. Leopold and William, a li

his one-thirty, twenty to one starting price, and the whole town onto him; it's enoug

nd my mates 'av won o

t wa

t five and tw

, Joey. Is i

es, sir," sa

his breeches pocket, and it came

we are bound to 'ave

ford it now; what say

e under-porter; "finest 'orse in tr

to

'ere's

; Watkins slid them back into his pock

hat is yours

rom his winnings on Silver Braid. These amounted to more than five pounds. William's face flushed with pleasure, and the world seemed to be his when he slipped four sovereigns and a handful of silver in

o back anything, make up your mind; there are a go

id he'd take ten half-sovereig

eigns to one?"

"Yes," and Joey

ne, or five shillings to one, as the case might be. Watkins would then raise his eyes from Mr. Leopold's face and nod or shake his head, or perhaps would sign with his fingers what odds he was prepared to lay. With no one else would Watkins talk so lengthily, showing so much deference. Mr. Le

e-twenty-four pounds to

congratulated himself on his courage in taking the ten half-sovereigns to one. Mr. Leopold knew a thing or two; he h

er's two-year-olds won a

won the Che

tinued to draw notes and gold and silver in handfuls from his capacious pockets, his lamentations only served to stimulate the happiness of the fort

h laughter. The dear gold came falling softly, sweetly as rain, soothing the hard lives of working folk. Lives pressed with toil lifted up and began to dream again. The dear gold was like an opiate; it wiped away memories of hardship and sorrow, it showed life in a lighter an

hower upon Shoreham. In every corner and crevice of life the glitter appeared. That fine red dress on the builder's wife, and the feathers that the girls flaunt at

rriages passed under its elm-trees at every hour and swept round the evergreen oaks. Rumour said that large alterations were going to be made, so that larger and grander entertainments might be given; an Italian garden was spoken of, balustrades and terraces, stables were in course of construction, many more race-horses were bought; they arrived daily, and the slender creatures, their dark eyes glancing out of the sight holes in their cloth hoods, walked up from the station followed by an admiring and commenting crowd. Drink and expensive living, dancing and singing upstairs and downstairs, and the jollifications cu