The Colonel rose and walked out to the hitching-block, where Clarke had reined in his fiery steed.
"Ah, Alfred.

Been out for a ride ?" "Yes, I have been giving Roger a little exercise." "That's a magnificent animal.

I never get tired watching him move.
He's the best bit of horseflesh on the river.

By the way, we have not seen much of you since the siege.

Of course you have been busy.
Getting ready to put on the harness, eh?
Well, that's what we want the young men to do.