Chapter 14 Retiring 
DO not remember Mr. Smith anything but 
hobbly on his feet—corns caused by the 
stiffness of prodigiously heavy boots seemed 
a sufficient explanation. But as his years 
increased this infirmity grew more and more 
noticeable. He plodded along doggedly and 
with bent back, always at one slow pace; and 
even so, sometimes he swayed on his feet, and 
was glad of his stick to help him keep his 
balance. So, although he never cared for 
driving, oftener than of old he made use of his 
milk-cart for distances he would have walked 
when he was younger. During his wife’s last 
illness, too, he kept a little shabby governess-car 
for her use, and he retained it for himself for 
some years. 
A drive with him was a thing to laugh over 
afterwards, though not until one was safely 
home again. The little old pony he used for 
his milk-rounds was not quite as_slow as himself, 
but, like him, had but one pace. Frequent 
flicks with the whip made no impression, or 
frequent loudish calls to ““Goo on!” The 
pony paid no heed at all. It was well one had 
not much dignity to carry; one could not keep 
it up when driving with Mr. Smith. The 
109 
