CHAPTER IX. 



NEW NOTION — PROFESSIONAL OPINION — TROTT — TROTT\S 

 GIG — A VISIT — THE HATCH— THE FARM— THE OLD 

 COW — THE NEW TUNE — TROTT AND HIS ASSISTANT. 



ERY Happy Thought.— To call at Mr. Trott's, 

 the Veterinary Surgeon. 



Here's another object for a walk. A varia- 

 tion on Stamps. One day a walk for Stamps ; 

 another, walk to Veterinary Surgeon. Awkward word, 

 Veterinary. Can't say it well, without shaking your head. 



I can get Trott, who bears the highest character as a Vet 

 (jaunty abbreviation this) and a Dealer, to go and look at 

 Clumber's mare. Trott will tell me if it is "Just the sort o' 

 thing I want." 



Mr. Trott, a long man, in tight trousers, hard gloves, and 

 a loose, weather-stained overcoat, is starting, in a lofty gig, 

 for a round of professional calls. 



" If you don't object to stepping up here, Sir," he says 

 from the box-seat, " and won't mind my calling at Flipster's 

 Hatch on the road. I'll go on straight to Clumber's after- 

 wards. It'll be all in my way." 



I accept, and climb up into the gig. 



F 2 



