48 



a half whisper) " a full-grown jackass among 

 them." There ends the matter — Mr. Dimity 

 walks off in a dudgeon, and indemnifies himself by 

 boasting of his sagacity in escaping from 'Uhe 

 fangs of that rascally horse-dealer, Smith, who 

 wanted to palm off a vicious horse upon him, but 

 he was too knowing ;" while Mr. Smith, on the 

 other hand, piously resolves to " take in the next 

 greenhorn of a man-milliner," out of revenge for 

 the trouble of uselessly showing his stud. 



Sometimes the affair goes a step further. 



^' I want a horse, Mr. Smith, but I won't go 

 beyond thirty pounds." 



"I have one about that figure. Sir." 



" Figure ! is he well made ?" 



He is trotted out, admired, and purchased : 

 four-and-twenty hours felapse, and back come the 

 horse and his rider ; the one in a towering passion, 

 the other in a foam. 



" You have treated me in a pretty way, Mr. 

 Smith, but I'll take the law of you, hang me if I 

 don't." 



" What's the matter now ?" 



" Didn't you sell me this horse as sound, and 

 make me pay thirty guineas for him ?" 



"Well, Sir, what then?" 



" What then. Sir ! what then ! why look here, 

 look at his knee ! see how he has cut himself !" 



