JUajor Whyte Jllehille 



Mr. Sloper hesitated. * A hundred and ' eighty, he 



was going to say ; but seeing his customer's eye resting on 

 the roan's back ribs — a point in which the horse was some- 

 what deficient — he dropped at once to seventy, and re- 

 gretted it the next moment when he caught the expression 

 of the Hstener's face. 



' It isn't even money,' answered Mr. Sawyer, without, 

 however, making the same sort of face he had done several 

 times before, when he had refused to give double the sum 

 at which he had eventually purchased. ' I should say you 

 might get a hundred and twenty for him down there, if 

 you 'd luck. But it 's a great risk — a great risk — and a long 

 distance ; and perhaps have him sent back to you in the 

 spring. If I wanted a horse, I 'd give you a hundred for 

 him, though he isn't exactly my sort. A hundred ! — I '11 

 tell you what, Sloper, I '11 be hanged if I won't chance it. 

 I '11 give you a hundred — guineas — come ! Money down and 

 no questions asked.' 



' I can't warrant him sound,' answered Mr. Sloper ; 

 ' and I 'd rather you had him than anybody. But it 's 

 childish talking of a hundred guineas and that horse on 

 the same afternoon. However, I thank you kindly all the 

 same, Mr. Sawyer. Barney ! shut the box up. Come in, 

 sir, and have one glass of sherry before you start. The 

 evenings get chill at this time of year, and that 's old sherry, 

 and won't hurt you no more than milk. He is a nice horse, 

 Mr. Sawyer, I think — a very nice horse, and I 'm glad 

 you 're pleased with him.' 



77 



