He certainly was a bit of a dandy, as he had said.

The father's whole face changed as he wheeled and came before the lad, who lifted up his arms expectantly.

They had often ridden together on the same horse.
"No rides to-day in that toggery, Eddy," he said in the same voice.

"But I'll get down and we'll go and sit somewhere under a tree and have some talk.

I've got a bit of a job that's hurrying me, and I can't waste time." "Not one of your old jobs, father?
I thought you had quite given that up ?" The boy spoke more carelessly than reproachfully, or even wonderingly; yet, as he dismounted and tethered his horse, Steptoe answered evasively, "It's a big thing, sonny; maybe we'll make our eternal fortune, and then we'll light out from this hole and have a gay time elsewhere.