human
I suppose you would hardly care to go to the meet to-day, Dad?
gpt
Not go to the meet, girl, after keeping the old tryst so many years, why not?
human
Oh, I don't know, only I thought you might not.
gpt
What, because another fellow provides the sherry and is master at the Hall? Of course I don't like it, but providing he does not give the men Hamburg stuff, I'll go and be thankful to him for doing what I can no longer afford to do. Put on a leather petticoat, little woman, and we'll run with them since we can't ride.
human
Kate.
gpt
Yes, father.
human
Come down again for a minute.
gpt
All right, in half a second;
human
What is your will, sir?
gpt
Why, child, I was thinking that you at any rate might ride to the meet. Your habit is packed away somewhere; Joe looked yesterday as fit as paint, and, as Tim expressed it, 'is brimful of consate.' I declare he has waxed fat and kicks, to the serious detriment of his old tumble-down box.
human
No, father, if you don't ride, I shan't. If you run, so shall I.
gpt
Do as you are bid, Kate, or rather, since you never do that, ride if it is only half-a-dozen fences, just to please your old father, and to show that young woman at the Hall the difference between riding and being carried, between hands and paws.