A BEAUTIFUL NEW COACH. 287 



you would be much plased ; it s lovely intirely. If 

 you would only get that, that would be the doin ov 

 it.&quot; 



This discussion was not altogether an unusual thing 

 between us. My Rockaway had been growing weak 

 er and weaker for some time past, and, as its weak 

 ness became more striking, the &quot; beautiful new coach&quot; 

 loomed up more distinctly. At first the spring would 

 want strengthening, then the axles would need ex 

 amining, next the tires would require resetting, and 

 so on, until an application to the wheelwright be 

 came an event of weekly recurrence. On each repe 

 tition, the attractions of the &quot; beautiful new coach&quot; 

 would come under discussion, and be dilated upon, 

 although, as I had little faith in country work, and 

 entire confidence in my Rockaway, I turned a deaf 

 ear to all such suggestions. 



However, matters had been becoming more serious 

 lately. The wagon had certainly acquired a wobbly 

 motion, which was neither agreeable nor reassuring. 

 The springs or wheels, or both, appeared to have lost 

 their strength ; the latter did not track quite true, 

 and, in turning a corner or crossing a gutter, there 

 was evidence of a defect somewhere. No special 

 difficulty had made itself apparent, but there was a 

 general giving out a sort of grogginess all over. 



