64 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



Spoker nods. 



The Groom takes the opportunity to inform me that Mr. 

 Clumber is " a bit 'ard o 'earin' on one side." 



Clumber, having mastered the question, turns to me, and, 

 smiling compassionately, replies, " Quiet ! Why a child 

 might drive her ! " 



Happy TJioiight. — To inquire whether, as a matter of fact, 

 a child has ever driven her. I pass on, however, to another 

 subject. "Any tricks?" I ask, as though she were a con- 

 juror. 



Spoker shouts this twice to Clumber. This process gives 

 Clumber time. (By "tricks" I mean, plainly, "Will she 

 kick me off, or have me off somehow, directly I get on, or 

 soon afterwards ? ") 



" Tricks ! " exclaims Clumber (always huskily), as sur- 

 prised as if this were the first time he'd ever heard such a 

 thing even hinted at about a horse of his. " Tricks ! Not 

 one that I know of. No vice. She's quiet in the stable, 

 ain't she, Tom ? " 



"As a lamb," replies the Groom, gruffly, squinting all 

 round the horse's head : " you can do anythink a'most with 

 her. I don't think as ever I comed across such another 

 quiet OSS as she is. Woa, beauty ! " 



As the peaceful animal begins at this moment to show 

 signs of restiveness. Clumber, quite equal to the occasion, 

 says, 



" Walk her up the road, Tom." Then, as she is led out, 

 with great caution on the part of the diplomatic Tom (I 



