74 STABLE SECRETS. 



bis two forefingers into the corners of his eyes, and. the breast 

 of his light holland stable-jacket to heave somewhat convul- 

 sively — "and then when your last race was run," repeated he, 

 in a voice anything but steady, " I should like to be in a situa- 

 tion to refuse all offers to ride again." 



Sunshine evidently felt the compliment paid, with such 

 sincerity, to his merits and virtues, and stretched himself out 

 in a proud position to listen attentively to the sequel. 



" I should never wish to ride another," resumed Robert 

 Top's best lad, shaking his head. " Fifty-two pounds a year, 

 a cottage near a wood, a Missis Puffy just to look after my 

 linen, and make my gruel when a little off, is all I shall want, 

 old feller, when your last race is run." 



Sunshine again squeaked an unmusical squeak, signifying 

 conclusively that " he wished he might get the annuity, domain, 

 and a better half, precisely in accordance with the proclaimed 

 details, and strictly for the purposes declared." 



" In that case," said Puffy Doddles, " I should feel that I 

 hadn't split my love, but kept it all for my hoss, as it was in 

 the beginning, is now, and ever will be as long as I live. 

 That's what I should feel," repeated he, " that I hadn't split 

 my love ! " 



Sunshine made a playful kick with the white heel, inti- 

 mating the probable division of a certain body corporate, in 

 the belief of the affection spoken of being other than a strict 

 monopoly. 



"If so be that I get fifty pounds a year, a cottage near a 

 wood, and a missis to look after my linen, and make my gruel 

 when a little off," repeated Puffy Doddles, " I'll have a bower 

 with scarlet beans a-growin' and a-blowin' all over it, and there 

 I'll sit of a summer's evening, and smoke my pipe, and ride 

 the Leger over and over again, all by myself, and yet not alone, 

 old feller, for you'll be always with me; as the song goes, 'though 

 lost to sight, to memory dear.' " 



Having heard, perhaps, enough upon the subject of himself, 



