MR. SLOPER ADDRESSES HIS YOUNG FRIEND. 95 



The ears of Puffy Doddles appeared to prick forward to catch 

 the succeeding syllable, and he stood mute with his lower jaw 

 dropped, an illustration of marked attentiveness. 



" If," resumed his employer, " I had served you out as I was 

 recommended, after that pretty bit o' business of yours, I should 

 have kicked ye out of my stable without a character, or with the 

 character of not obeying orders. Whichever you pleased/' 



Puffy Doddles, even at this early stage of the proceedings, 

 had to cut off certain springs, which began to rise, and threatened 

 to dim his vision. 



"You would then," continued Mr. James Sloper, "in all 

 probability, have never got into another training stable, and 

 must have taken to scaring rooks, grinding a mangle, or " — here 

 his employer made a most effective pause — " turned gardener, 

 perhaps, to an old maiden lady. Think of turning gardener, 

 Doddles, to an old maiden lady ! " 



At this sad picture, Puffy Doddles could not restrain a 

 whimper. 



" Taking that pity upon ye," said Mr. James Sloper, "which 

 others wouldn't, I did not kick ye out of my stable." 



Robert Top's best lad felt, at this juncture, what a debt of 

 gratitude he owed for not being subjected to the summary mode 

 of ejectment referred to by his employer. 



" Such being the case," continued Mr. James Sloper, " and 

 no fault being found with ye since — we won't be particular as 

 to when — I have almost made up my mind to give ye another 

 chance." 



Puffy Doddles gasped with expectation. 



" I may be called a fool," said his employer, " and, I dare 

 say, shall be ; but I have almost made up my mind to give ye 

 another chance." 



Puffy Doddles ventured to offer up a little secret prayer 

 that Mr. James Sloper' s mind might be relieved from all doubt, 

 with all practicable expedition. 



" Now, if I do give ye another chance," resumed his em- 



