THE JEW*S PURCHASE. 81 



The question, however, met with no response, and after a 

 sufficient time had elapsed for an addition to be made to the 

 last offer, and "Any more?" had frequently been repeated, 

 down came the ivory hammer with a sharp crack upon the 

 desk, and I was sold. 



"Your pardon, sir," observed Eobert Top, rcspectfally 

 touching the narrow brim of his hat with a foro-finger, as I re- 

 entered the box after the sale. "Your pardon, sir," repeated 

 he, bringing Toby forvrard as he spoke; "but this is the cat." 



" The vhat 1 " returned my new, very new ovvaier. 



" The cat," rejoined the head of the family of the Tops, 

 holding Toby out at arm's length, and fathoming the lowest 

 depths of an adjacent pocket with a disengaged member. 



The Israelite " took stock " of Sir Digby's head groom, from 

 toe to brow, with a slow, deliberate movement, and then, 

 apparently satisfied that no offence was intended, said, " Vhat 

 do you mean 1 " 



" That when meant, and in the humour," re3j)onded Robert-^ 

 and he spoke like one who entertained implicit confidence 

 in his own opinion — "your 'oss can win anything; but like 

 a woman, to see 'm sliine the brightest, he must be tickled, not 

 punished. In health, condition, and the money on, with Toby 

 to purr about 'm,. and pat his nose, there's nothin' but weight 

 can beat Sheet Anchor." 



"You ^" 



" I did, sir," sharply interrupted Kobert. " I was the first to 

 see 'm on the morning he was foaled. I brought 'm up, broke 

 'm in, sav/ 'm stripped for the Criterion. It was this hand," — 

 and the head of the family of the Toj)s withdrew from 

 the region of his knees a large bony palm, and extended it 

 as he proceeded to conclude the sentence — " that gave 'm the 

 . last rub over before he went to the post for the Derby. It was 

 the identical same " — he clenched it tightly as he spoke — " as 

 gave Ned a couple of precious black eyes as he got out o' the 

 scale after the race for the Leger." 



My new, very new o-svner appeared both interested and 

 amused at this stage of the narrative, and, throwing his head 



P 



