CHAPTER VI. 



IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 



I ND, on my return home, the report has sud- 

 denly got about that I am looking out for a 

 horse. 



When I say " got about," I mean within a 

 radius of at least ten miles. 



I ask my Aunt if she has mentioned it to any one. 



" No, my dear," she replies, " I've not said a word on the 

 subject." 



She seems as hurt and annoyed as if I had accused her of 

 having divulged a most important secret. 



I can't go anywhere in my own neighbourhood without 

 hearing about the horse that " I'm looking out for." People 

 seem to think I want to raise a private cavalry troop. 



At the Railway Station, for example, the Station-Master — 

 the last person I should have thought of, as connected with 

 horses (unless he has a grudge against the Railway, and 

 wishes to encourage driving) — smiles pleasantly, but still 

 knowingly — I can't help remarking this universally, that 

 whenever a person, no matter who he may be, has anything 

 to say or do about horses, he instantly becomes more or less 

 knowing in his manner — I believe the Archbishop of Canter- 



