But if she was mine I'd put her to work a
coal-cart for six months; that would larn her."
"I will ride her," said Miss Clifford, calmly; "her or none."
"Saddle her, George," said Walter, resignedly. "I'll ride Goliah. Black
Bess sha'n't plead a bad example. Goliah is as meek as Moses, Miss
Clifford. He is a gigantic mouse."
"I'd as lieve ride of a dead man," said the old groom.
"Mr. George," said the young lady, "you seem hard to please. May I ask
what sort of animal you do like to ride?"
"Well, miss, summat between them two. When I rides I likes to be at
peace. If I wants work, there's plenty in the yard. If I wants fretting
and fuming, I can go home: I'm a married man, ye know. But when I crosses
a horse I looks for a smart trot and a short stepper, or an easy canter
on a bit of turf, and not to be set to hard labor a-sticking my heels
into Goliah, nor getting a bloody nose every now and then from Black Bess
a-throwing back her uneasy head when I do but lean forward in the saddle.
I be an old man, miss, and I looks for peace on horseback if I can't get
it nowhere else.
Pages:
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125