ONLY THE MARE. 225 



All the neighbourhood was in a ferment of excitement 

 about the races, and the sight of Little Lady in such a 

 place at such a time struck horror to the honest old 

 farmer. 



" Yes, it is — I'm sorry to say. Miss Peyton has met 

 with an accident. I was going for the doctor, and 

 unfortunately there was nothing else in the stable." 



" You was going to Oakley, I s'pose, sir ? It'll be 

 ruination to the mare. Miss Peyton hurt herself! I'll 

 bowl over, sir ; it won't take long ; this little horse o' 

 mine can trot a good 'un ; and I can bring the doctor 

 with me. The fences, there, is mended with wire. 

 You'd cut the mare to pieces." 



" I can't say how obliged to you I am " 



" Glad of the opportunity of obliging Miss Peyton — 

 very glad indeed, sir!" He was just starting when he 

 checked himself. "There's a little public-house about 

 a hundred yards farther on ; if you don't mind waiting 

 there I'll send Smithers to look at the mare. I pass his 

 house. All right, sir." 



His rough little cob started off at a pace for which I 

 had not given it credit ; and I slowly followed, leading 

 the mare towards the glimmering light which Heath- 

 field had pointed out. My charge stepped out well, and 

 I didn't think that there was anything wrong, though I 

 was glad, of course, to have a professional opinion. 



A man was hanging about the entrance to the public- 

 house, and with his assistance the mare was bestowed 

 in a kind of shed, half cow-house, half stable ; and as 



Q 



