8 EACECOUESE AND COVEET SIDE. 



some six miles off — bis wife by bis side and 

 myself bebind. 



We were, somebow or otber, a bit late — a 

 good bit, to speak freely — tbongb bonestly I do 

 not tbink tbat otber bottle of Pontet Canet bad 

 anytbing to do witb it. We sped along at a 

 good pace, bowever, tbings looking promising 

 over bead and under foot ; and I was naturally 

 eager to see tbe paragon destined to carry me. 



Pretty Mrs. Greenwood made brigbt remarks 

 about tbings in general, till presently sbe in- 

 quired of ber busband 



" Have you told Mr. Eapier about tbe borse? " 

 "Yes, indeed/' I broke in. ''I'm quite un- 

 happy at depriving Herbert of bis mount. He's 

 most entbusiastic about bim. He says it's tbe 

 nicest Uttle borse in tbe world ; and tbat's going 

 a good long way, isn't it ? " 



"Y-es," Mrs. Greenwood replied, witb a 

 good deal of besitation, I tbougbt. " But be's 

 a bit awkward to mount, isn't be, dear ? " 



"Ob, it's notbing ! " Greenwood replied. 

 ** You may just as well look pretty slippy 

 about getting up, but be means no barm; tbere 

 couldn't be a better tempered borse. It's babit, 

 you know ; be reacbes round a bit at you." 



Of course tbere is no absolute perfection to 

 be found, eitber equine or buman, and tbe nicest 



