these affairs--we've other things to think about!" He
stretched a long arm for a box of cigars, and handed it to his
visitor; "sit down for a bit. There's no hurry. The ladies can have it
all their own way for a while!"

Dr. Mangan lowered his huge person into an armchair of suitable
proportions, and for some moments smoked his cigar in appreciative
silence. As a matter of fact, he was planning an approach to the
subject that had instigated his visit to the library, but he was in no
hurry to begin upon it, remembering that the longest way round is
often the shortest way home.

"By the way, Major," he said, taking the cigar from his mouth, and
regarding it with affection, "did some one tell me that you were
looking for a farming horse?"

"If they didn't, they might have," replied Dick. "McKinnon's at me to
get another. I was going to ask you if you knew of anything?"

"Well, now, that's funny. I was wondering to myself this morning what
I'd do with that big brown horse of mine. He'll not go hunting again,
he never got the better of that hurt he got. But he's the very cut of
a farm-horse. You see, the poor devil had to carry _me_!" ended
the Big Doctor, with a laugh at himself.

"I'll tell McKinnon of him. He wants a horse that will--" a recital of
the accomplishments exacted by Dick's steward followed.

Dr. Mangan listened with attention.

"Tell McKinnon he'd better have him over on trial. I know him and his
requirements! The horse mightn't be able to play the piano for him!"
said the Doctor, facetiously. "I'm not afraid of _you_, Major,
but I've a great respect for Mr. McKinnon!"

"Oh, I'll tell old Mack he'll be lucky to get him," said Dick, with
his pleasant laugh; "you and I will strike the bargain!"

The approach had been pegged out, and Dr. Mangan turned, for the
moment, to other subjects.

It was a damp and sodden day near the beginning of September, and a
comfortable turf fire centralised and gave point to the room, as a
fire inevitably does. Major Talbot-Lowry was in the habit of saying
that the day of the month never warmed anybody yet, and if it was only
for the sake of the books--the truth being that the library fire at
Mount Music had never, in the memory of housemaid, been extinguished
save only when "the Major was out of home." Dick, like most
out-of-door men, considered that fresh air should be kept in its
proper place, outside the walls of the house, and an ancient
atmosphere, in which the v