I suppose that my daughter and I would be there at the present
moment but for the fact that we own this cottage. Both she and
I, for residential purposes, prefer the atmosphere there."
"I scarcely wonder at it," Francis agreed.
They were surrounded now by various quadrupeds. As well as the
horses, half-a-dozen of which were standing patiently by Sir
Timothy's side, several dogs had made their appearance and after
a little preliminary enthusiasm had settled down at his feet.
He leaned over and whispered something in the ear of the mare who
had come first. She trotted off, and the others followed suit in
a curious little procession. Sir Timothy watched them, keeping
his head turned away from Francis.
"You recognise the mare the third from the end?" he pointed out.
"That is the animal I bought in Covent Garden. You see how she
has filled out?"
"I should never have recognised her," the other confessed.
"Even Nero had his weaknesses," Sir Timothy remarked, waving the
dogs away. "My animals' quarters are well worth a visit, if you
have time. There is a small hospital, too, which is quite up to
date."
"Do any of the horses work at all?" Francis asked.
Sir Timothy smiled.
"I will tell you a very human thing about my favourites," he
said. "In the gardens on the other side of the house we have
very extensive lawns, and my head groom thought he would make use
of one of a my horses who had recovered from a serious accident
and was really quite a strong beast, for one of the machines.
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