84 PRECEPT AND PEACTICE. 



be ; an inconsistency is only seen as such when 

 pointed out ; the uninitiated do not see it, not from 

 want of sense, but from the want of being, in slang, 

 phrase, *' wide awake" in similar matters. 



These observations, though they have taken some 

 time to write, have whirled through the brain during 

 the ten minutes we allowed Mr. Verdant for his ride : 

 we will suppose him returned. ** Nice 'oss to ride, 

 sir," says seller, the moment Mr. Verdant stopped ; 

 this said in so decided a tone that really Mr. Verdant 

 would have feared, if he had not agreed in opinion, 

 that his knowledge of what a *'nice 'oss" was would 

 be called in question ; so he corroborates seller's 

 opinion by saying, " Yes, I like him very much." 

 *' I knowed you couldn't mislike him ; but it is a 

 satisfaction to me that you bave had a trial." 



It is natural to surmise the horse was taken, a 

 cheque given for the money ; and so soon as seller 

 saw the horse on his way to his new purchaser's 

 stable, and the new purchaser riding or walking by 

 his side, as we suppose, admiring him, the seller was 

 off to get the cheque cashed. 



