in fact—which, it turned out, had been in his family for some generations, and was entailed. I don't know how it was that he never spoke to me of it—perhaps he meant to and had no chance, for he died suddenly. Well, of course it came to me, being the eldest and only son, and the income from it-forty pounds a year—is paid to me. But from the first I have always considered one-half of that as my sister's."
The listener nodded comprehensively.
"I see," she said. "And how old is your sister?"
"She is twenty-two, and I am twenty-four," he replied, in a grave fashion which suggested to his hearer that he thought himself very old and wise. "She is a governess in South Kensington. But, you know, governesses are not well paid, and the twenty pounds a year from the little farm is very useful. She always has a good holiday with it. And that is why I am so angry with myself, because———"
He paused and turned his face away and was silent.
"Yes?" said the girl encouragingly.
"Because I put her money—the twenty pounds—and mine on Mountain Apple for the Derby—win or place—and he was fourth."
The girl fingered her parasol and seemed to reflect.
"Was it with her consent?" she asked, after a short silence.
"No," he replied frankly. "She knew nothing about it. You see, I wanted to give her such a splendid surprise. If I could explain———"
"Yes," she said, "explain—tell me everything."
