"Oh, please be careful!" said Violet, apprehensively. "Quiet, Leo! Quiet, sir."
Mr. Dodson, however, did not seem at all nervous and, with a grave, "Poor old man!" took hold of the bad foot and examined it.
"There's a thorn in this foot, or there was, and it is festering. I prescribe a poultice," he said.
"Oh, dear me! who is to put it on?" said Violet.
"I will," said Mr. Leicester, "if you will be kind enough to order some warm water and linseed."
Violet, without any further fuss, sent one of the grooms for the required articles, and Mr. Leicester seated himself on the top of the kennel and talked to the dog until they came.
Then he mixed the poultice, applied it, and washed his hands, all with the same self-composed gravity which half amused Violet and half awed her.
This Mr. Leicester, whom she had once almost despised for being the son of a tallow melter was gradually winning her respect and setting her thinking.
"How kind of you," she said. "I am really very grateful. But I am ashamed that you should have had so much trouble."
"Not at all. I am very fond of dogs," said Mr. Leicester, and the speech, though it seemed ungracious, was pleasantly spoken.
"If you are fond of horses, come and see my ponies," said Violet, in her frank way, and they turned to the stables.
"They are a pretty pair; they'd go well in tandem," said Mr. Leicester, thoughtfully.
"Would they?" said Violet, eagerly. "How I should like to drive them. Is it difficult?"
"No," said Mr. Leicester, "not at all, when you have acquired the knack. If you will allow me, I will show you how to drive the ponies tandem."
"Thank you so much," said Violet, gratefully; "but are you sure that it will not bore you? I know gentlemen dislike being bored."
"No, it will give me great pleasure," he said, simply. "When will you take the first lesson?"
"Yes," said Violet; "I shall be delighted! Oh, I forgot!" she added, quickly, and with an unmistakable air of disappointment. "I am to drive Captain Murpoint over to the village, and perhaps he would not care to risk his neck."
Captain Murpoint came from the house at that moment to answer the question.
"Will you be present at a little equestrian experiment, Captain Murpoint?" asked Mr. Leicester.