"I don't think there is much doubt about that," Maud said.
Saltash laughed again mockingly. "Oh, we all know Jake is invincible,
virtuous rectitude incarnate. But you can't hammer a girl into submission
like a boy and I rather fancy that Toby is not wholly ignorant of the art
of getting her own way."
"Jake never hammered Bunny," Maud said quietly, "But he manages him
notwithstanding."
They rounded a curve and came upon the gate that led into the field. The
galloping hoofs were close to them. As they reached the corner two riders
flashed past at full speed. One of them--Bunny--lay on his horse's neck,
yelling wild encouragement to his mount. The other,--a slight, childish
figure--was kneeling on the saddle like a small, crouching creature,
perfectly poised and wholly unafraid. As the horse that carried her
dropped to a canter on the hill, she got to her feet with absolute ease,
and stood, arms out and swaying to the animal's motion, till, as they
rounded another curve, she dropped to the saddle again, and passed from
sight, following in Bunny's tracks.
"Quite a pretty exhibition!" remarked Saltash. "Where is Jake?"
Jake himself appeared at the moment riding soberly, mounted on his
favourite horse, The Hundredth Chance.
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