46 PINK AND SCARLET 



forage is bad." The variation is, Mr. Dealer says 

 to the groom, "You take in what's sent you and 

 keep your mouth shut, and there's a good fat present 

 for you at Christmas." 



Oh, young soldier, if only to save your own self- 

 respect, or your own pocket, learn to be at any 

 rate a fair judge of forage ; remember, moreover, 

 that some day you may have to purchase, or pass, 

 forage for her Majesty, and you will indeed be one 

 of her bad bargains if you cannot tell good from 

 bad. 



Yards might be written on the interesting subject 

 of stable management, but Sir Frederick has it all 

 (except, perhaps, the lump of rock-salt which it is 

 good to have in each manger), and there is nothing 

 more to be said but, " Be master," pay your groom 

 well, and treat him well, and get him to see that 

 you are both pulling in the same boat. Remember, 

 also, that we all of us occasionally want a poke 

 from some one to keep us up to the mark. 



Be often in and out of your stable, not with a 

 view to spy on your groom, but because you are 

 fond of your horses and want to see them well done. 

 Don't forget that a little judicious praise is a very 

 powerful lever. (This, by the way, is a good thing 

 to remember with soldiers also, and it would be 

 good if it were more the fashion in the army to 

 give praise.) And remember "that what's not in- 

 spected is likely to be neglected," and also that 

 "a master's eye makes a fat horse." 



Before concluding this chapter it would perhaps 



