ABOUT BUYING A HORSE. 45 



bury himself would cock his shovel-hat, and smile learily 

 (" learily " is the word) if he had anything to say about a 

 horse,— Well, the Station-Master smiles in this way, and 

 observes — 



" I hear you're looking out for a horse, Sir." 



I say " Yes, I am," as unconcernedly as possible, as I have 

 a sort of idea that he'll suddenly produce one from the 

 engine-house, or the porters' room, or some unexpected 

 place, by way of taking me by surprise, and say, " Here he 

 is, Sir ; here's the very thing for you ! " and expect me to 

 purchase it on the spot. 



So I am reserved, and suspicious. As I go on, I become 

 more reserved and suspicious. My nature is, I am sure, 

 originally frank and trustful ; but looking out for a horse 

 will, I am sure, even at this early stage, embitter my 

 life. 



I almost begin to expect men jumping out at me, from 

 behind trees, or palings, with " Here you are. Sir ! here's the 

 thing to suit you ! " and I am aware of being perpetually, 

 and painfully, on the alert. 



The Station-Master seems to be thinking the matter over. 

 I don't go away and leave him, as I see he has something 

 more to say. Perhaps, not being professionally a horse- 

 dealer, he doesn't quite know how to put it, or it may be his 

 first attempt at this sort of thing. 



He frowns to himself, as it were, and appears to be going 

 through either some violent mental effort of memory, or a 

 struggle with his better nature and his early religious 

 education. 



