62 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



get beyond it : there it is. You can't (it seems to imply) be 

 more than a thorough gentleman, and she's the very thing 

 for such a thorough gentleman as you (meaning myself as 

 the intending purchaser) are. Or, if you are not quite the 

 thorough gentleman, then put this horse into your dog-cart, 

 and your reputation will be made. 



I'm aware that I ought to do something now. I feel that 

 my turn has come. I ought to ask about her " points." I 

 think, too, I ought to examine her mouth ; I know that one 

 tells the age of a horse by its mouth. But how ? False 

 teeth '^. Stupid of me not to have read up the subject before 

 I came here. 



Happy Thought. — To appear as if I could judge of her 

 age without bothering myself about the mouth. I say, in as 

 horsey and knowing a manner as I can assume (though I feel 

 the Squinting Groom sees through me in every direction), 



" She's not very young, tho', eh "i " 



Spoker takes upon himself to reply to this. 



" She's not over five I think. Sir." 



I can't help remarking what a fine horse she is for five 

 years old. It really seems no age. I wish I'd read up all 

 about the ages of horses, how long they live, and how long 

 they're good for work, in " Stonehenge " or some other 

 authority. Mem. Buy a book on " The Horse," and come 

 out prepared. 



The Squinting Groom opens her mouth, and the horse 

 tosses her head. 



" Woa lass, then ! Woa beauty ! " says the Groom. 



