“He wants him for a good family horse for his wife to drive,” and Abner Holden burst into a laugh.

“Perhaps he’s anxious to become a widower,” said Mrs. Bickford.

“No; the fact is he thinks the horse is gentle.”

“You told him so, I suppose?”

“Of course, I did.”

“Knowing it to be false?”

“Shut up, Mrs. Bickford.  You know all is fair in trade.”

“No, I don’t, Mr. Holden.  To my mind, a lie’s just as much a lie in trade as in anything else.  I suppose the man trusted to your recommendation.”

“Suppose he did.  I got cheated on the horse, and I’ve got to get rid of it, somehow.  As it is, I shall make a handsome profit.”

“Well, Mr. Holden, all I’ve got to say is, I am glad I haven’t got as tough a conscience as you have.”

“You don’t know anything about business, Mrs. Bickford.”

“Well, manage things your own way.  I ain’t responsible, but I pity the poor man if he buys Spitfire.”

“So do I,” chuckled Abner.  “That’s where you and I agree, Mrs. Bickford.”

Herbert listened in silence.  He was disgusted with the utter disregard of fair dealing exhibited by Abner Holden, though he was not surprised at it.  He felt glad that he had been the means of saving Mr. Richmond from being overreached, though he know very well that Mr. Holden’s rage would be furious when he learned what had interfered with the trade.  He did not feel under any obligations to reveal his own agency in the matter, unless direct inquiry was made of him.  In that case, he would manfully stand by his acts.

“I’m expecting the man this afternoon, Mrs. Bickford,” said Mr. Holden, “and shall stay around home to see him.  When he comes, call me at once; and mind, not a word about Spitfire.”

“Just as you say.  I wash my hands of the whole affair.”

“Washing your hands won’t do you any harm,” said Abner, with a laugh at what he supposed to be a witticism.

Mrs. Bickford took no notice of this remark.  It was not quite easy to say why she remained in charge of Mr. Holden’s household, for certainly, she had no respect for her employer.  However, he did not meddle with her, or, if he did, he got the worst of it, and it was perhaps the independence that she enjoyed which led her to remain in the house.  Knowing Abner’s character, she was not particularly shocked at this last evidence of it, but went about her work as usual, with scarcely a thought of what had passed.

Abner Holden sat at the window, and looked up the road, awaiting anxiously the appearance of the customer.

“I hope he’ll bring the money with him,” he thought.  “I’d like to have matters all arranged to-day, before he smells a rat.  If I get the money once in my hands, he may scold all he pleases about the horse.  It won’t disturb my rest.”

But the old clock in the corner kept ticking—­minute after minute passed—­and still the stranger did not appear.