"
"I'm weakening!" declared Carter. "A hundred dollars is beginning
to look to me like an awful lot of money. Twenty- seven dollars,
and there's only twenty of that left now, is mighty small capital,
but twenty dollars plus a hundred could keep us alive for a month!"
"Did you, or did you not, dream that Dromedary would win?" demanded
Dolly sternly.
"I certainly did, several times," said Carter. "But it may be I was
thinking of the horse. I've lost such a lot on him, my mind may
have----"
"Did you," interrupted Dolly, "say if you had a hundred dollars
you'd bet it, and did a hundred dollars walk in through the door
instantly?"
Carter, reassured, breathed again. " It certainly did!" he
repeated.
Even in his proud days, Carter had never been able to bet heavily,
and instead of troubling the club-house commissioners with his
small wagers, he had, in the ring, bet ready money. Moreover, he
believed in the ring he obtained more favorable odds, and, when he
won, it pleased him, instead of waiting until settling day for a
check, to stand in a line and feel the real money thrust into his
hand. So, when the fourth race started he rose and raised his hat.
"The time has come," he said.
Without looking at him, Dolly nodded. She was far too tremulous to
speak.
For several weeks Dromedary had not been placed, and Carter hoped
for odds of at least ten to one.
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