PURCHASING HORSES. 145 



Mr. shows it in calling two of his horses 



hacks." 



" Then," said young Suppliant, " you consider 

 these hunters quite beyond my pretensions and 

 purse ?" 



** I in no way pretend to judge of the extent of the 

 latter, neither do I wish to disparage your preten- 

 sions ; but you will excuse me in saying that, for 

 your first season, I consider it would be lavishing 

 uselessly your money, to purchase horses of that 

 class. You will pardon my bluntness, if I say it 

 would be useless to bestow a set of highly-finished 

 tools on a man, till he had learned how to use 

 them." 



V 



*' I quite understand you,"' said the pupil, with 

 perfect good humour, and laughing : " you mean 

 that a hedge-carpenter would spoil the tools." 



" I in no way mean you are the hedge-carpenter," 

 replied Mentor, in turn smiling. " I only mean you 

 are beginning your apprenticeship, and doubt not 

 your soon becoming a finished workman." 



" "Well then," said Pupil, " since you consider the 



L 



