"Well, Frank, I kind of expected you in the paddock."
The Kid was staring out across the track with the fixed gaze of one who sees nothing in particular; he grunted slightly, but did not speak.
"Uh-huh!" This without interest or enthusiasm.
The Kid swung about and glanced listlessly toward the betting ring. Then he looked at the horses on their way to the post. The old man read his thought.
"You've got a couple of minutes yet," said he. "Mebbe more; there's some bad actors in that bunch, and they'll delay the start."
The Kid looked again at the betting ring; then he shook his head. "Aw, what's the use?" said he irritably. "What's the use?"
Old Man Curry's countenance took on a look of deep concern.
"Because I never see you pass up a mortal cinch before."
The Kid chuckled mirthlessly. "Old-timer," said he, "I'm up against a cinch of my own--but it's a cinch to lose."
He returned to his survey of the open field, but Old Man Curry lingered. He stroked his beard meditatively.
"Son," said he at length, "Solomon says that a brother is born for adversity. I don't know what a father is born for, but I reckon it's to give advice. Where you been the last week or ten days? It's mighty lonesome round the stable without you."
"Mebbe not, but it might do some good to talk it all out of your system. You know the number, Frank."
"You mean well, old-timer," said the Kid; "and your heart's in the right place, but you--you don't understand."
"No, and how can I 'less you open up and tell me what's the matter? If you've done anything wrong----"
"Forget it!" said the Kid shortly. "You're barking up the wrong tree. I'm trying to figure out how to do right!"...
That night the door of Old Man Curry's tack room swung gently open, and the aged horseman, looking up from his well-thumbed copy of the Old Testament, nodded to an expected visitor.
"Set down, Frank, and take a load off your feet," said he hospitably. "I sort of thought you'd come."
For a time they talked horse, usually an engrossing subject, but after a bit the conversation flagged. The Kid rolled many cigarettes which he tossed away unfinished, and the old man waited in silence for that which he knew could not long be delayed. It came at last in the form of a startling question. "Old-timer," said the Kid abruptly, "you--you never got married, did you?"