Then it's settled, is it, Tommy? We thought of riding; will
it be too far for you?"
"Not a bit," Tommy said. "Bob and I rode in and out of Cunjee the other
day, and I wasn't tired--and it was dreadfully hot."
"Then you'll be all right on New Year's day, because the racecourse is
two miles this side of the township," Jim said. "But Norah said I was to
tell you some of us could easily go in the car if you'd rather drive."
"Oh, no, thanks; I know you always ride, and I should love it," Tommy
answered. "Is Mr. Linton going?"
"Oh, yes. Indeed, as far as I can tell, the whole station's going," Jim
said. "All except Brownie, of course; she scorns races. She says she
can't imagine why anyone should make anything run fast in the 'eat if
they don't want to."
"Does Brownie ever leave Billabong?"
"Hardly ever," Jim answered, laughing--"and it's getting more and more
difficult to make her. I think in a year or two it will need a charge
of dynamite. Oh, but, Tommy, we got her out in the car the other
evening--had to do it almost by main force. It was a hot evening, and
we took her for a spin along the road. She trembled like a jelly when we
started, and all the time she gripped the side with one hand and Norah's
knee with the other--quite unconsciously."
"Do you think she enjoyed it at all?" Tommy smiled.
"No, I'm jolly well sure she didn't," Jim responded.
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