Surely,
Snow Bunting has no earthly chance?"
"My housekeeper's nephew, who is a shoeing-smith in the mounted section
of the Church Lads' Brigade, and an authority on horseflesh, expects him
to be among the first three."
"The nephews of housekeepers are invariably optimists," said Bertie;
"it's a kind of natural reaction against the professional pessimism of
their aunts."
"We don't seem to get much further in our search for the probable
winner," said Mrs. de Claux; "the more I listen to you experts the more
hopelessly befogged I get."
"It's all very well to blame us," said Bertie to his hostess; "you
haven't produced anything in the way of an inspiration."
"My inspiration consisted in asking you down for Derby week," retorted
Mrs. de Claux; "I thought you and Odo between you might throw some light
on the question of the moment."
Further recriminations were cut short by the arrival of Lola Pevensey,
who floated into the room with an air of gracious apology.
"So sorry to be so late," she observed, making a rapid tour of inspection
of the breakfast dishes.
"Did you have a good night?" asked her hostess with perfunctory
solicitude.
"Quite, thank you," said Lola; "I dreamt a most remarkable dream.
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