90 KACECOUESE AND COVERT SIDE. 



porch while the smith trotted up and down the 

 drive, looked at it and picked it to pieces, as 

 men occasionally do when they have an idea of 

 buying. 



*' Well, what do you want ? " he presently 

 asked. 



" Well, my lord, the lowest price I can take 

 is sixty pounds. I gave fifty-five, and had to get 

 him home by rail ; and I wouldn't sell at all but 

 that I want the money bad," the man answered. 



^' I'll give you thirty," was Fearstone's reply, 

 it being his custom to offer half the sum he was 

 asked. 



" No, my lord, I couldn't do that. I gave 

 the money I say, and he's cost me a couple of 

 pounds more ; only I'm hard pressed and must 

 get money from somewhere," was the answer. 



Fearstone liked the horse, and wanted it, but 

 thought he saw the chance of making a good 

 thing out of his neighbour's necessity. 



" I don't care about the horse, but I don't 

 mind making it guineas ? " he said. 



" No, my lord ; I couldn't take a shilling less 

 than the money I say. I mentioned the real 

 lowest price to begin with." 



" Then you'd better take it away," Fearstone 

 rejoined, turning into the house ; and as he did 

 not look back, the man trotted ofi". 



