human
Well, George, said his lordship,
gpt
Yes, replied Bradon,
human
Bravo, bravo, George! said his friend;
gpt
Yes, my lord, said he, in answer to a question put to him by that gentleman.
human
I am glad to be back in the old land, not but what the Moossoos was very jolly and haffable. Still, France ain't up to my notions of a sporting country; but we was in quiet there--no touts, no interlopers, or anything. Now, if I'd a-brought the horses down here by rail, every one would have knowed it; so they came in a van. It's a little more expensive, but by far the best and safest way. Not a soul knows they are here, and no one will be aware of it till I takes them to the saddling-post. I'm just going to start with them now. I've got a couple of boxes close by the course, so you must excuse me, my lord.
gpt
Whose yellow drag and grays is that coming up the course? said one of the occupants of the lawn in front of the Grand Stand.
human
I do not know it.
gpt
Whose drag? said the sly-looking little man we have alluded to before.
human
Why, Lord Plunger's. George Bradon is sitting on the box seat with him, and the rest are officers of his old regiment--I know their faces.
gpt
By jingo! burst out a score of voices:
human
I wonder if he will be flattered when he hears the price his nags are at now?
gpt
He will not care a rap, said the sly-looking little man.
human
Look out, my boys, there's something up, you may depend. Bradon, if his horses do go, has something pretty good, you may rely. I warned you all before. Now, I have not laid a penny against his nags. I have let them alone--till the last minute. But here they come.
gpt
Hallo, Bradon! burst out fifty voices.
human
What, in England! Come to see the nags beaten?
gpt
Well, I do not know, said George, shaking hands with some of them.
human
I hope they will be there, or thereabouts; pretty heavy the ground to-day. My horses can stand it, which a good many of the others cannot.
gpt
Are your horses here?
human
Not yet, returned Bradon,
gpt
Which shall you declare to win with?
human
Oh, with Guardsman,
gpt
And your jocks? put in another.
human
All the talent is engaged. A pity you are so heavy--why, you've grown immense. You will want a dray-horse to carry you soon.
gpt
Think I have? said George.
human
It's my coats, man. Every fellow looks large with a couple of top-coats on, and a huge-wrapper round his throat. I know all the talent is engaged. One of my lads will ride the gray.
gpt
I say, Bradon, put in another,
human
I heard you weighed twelve stone five; is that a fact?
gpt
Yes, said George;
human
I put on sixteen pounds in less than two years--an idle life at home did for me.
gpt
But, Bradon, persisted the sly-looking little man,
human
Oh, said George,
gpt
What! they one and all exclaimed,
human
No, my friends, I did not. I said, in answer to a question, that I _had_ weighed twelve stone five. I told you I had put sixteen pounds on, but I did not tell you I had not taken it off. I walk ten stone ten now--Banting, my boys, Banting. And, listen to me, I shall win if I can, and I have a good chance; but, win or lose, this is my last appearance in public. I've grown immense, have I not, old fellow? addressing himself to the one who had made the remark.
gpt
I shall want a dray-horse soon, shall I not?
human
By G--, said the sly-looking little man,
gpt
I thought there was something up. The very best hand in England going to ride his own horse. I'll be off to back him.