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 it's a great race; but the turfs about the only evil I ever steered clear of." And he continued to eat, as he had eaten from the beginning, like a half-starved man.

The manager hummed. His confession was not yet complete.

"The fact is," he continued, "we thought it an opportunity to entertain our friends—possibly our last. To tell you the truth, we have something like a party on the day after to-morrow. When I got your letter I did think of putting it off. But, on second thoughts, that struck me as all the more reason for a general muster of such society as we can boast in these wilds. It was an opportunity for the country-side to meet you, Mr. Fullarton."

The owner looked up aghast.

"To meet me?" he cried. "Why, yes, to be sure. They are all most anxious to make your acquaintance. You must know that you have supplied our papers with a topic for these many weeks past."