“Well, so you’ve come back at last,” said William. “The favourite was beaten. I suppose you know that a rank outsider won. But what about this gentleman?”
“Met these ‘ere ladies on the ‘ill an’ been showing them over the course.
No offence, I hope, guv’nor?”
William did not answer, and Bill took leave of Sarah in a manner that told
Esther that they had arranged to meet again.
“Where did you pick up that bloke?”
“He came up and spoke to us, and Esther stopped to speak to the parson.”
“To the parson. What do you mean?”
The circumstance was explained, and William asked them what they thought of the racing.
“We didn’t see no racing,” said Sarah; “we was on the ‘ill on the wooden ‘orses. Esther’s ‘orse won. She got a mug; show the mug, Esther.”
“So you saw no Derby after all?” said Wi
