122 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



of distributing them at nominal prices among his 

 favourites and friends. Oh, ecstasy ! * the young 

 gentleman ' is permitted to know that he is himself a 

 member of that blissful band — a Knight of Arthur's 

 Table. The good dealer has *just such another 

 young un of his own/ and will forthwith exhibit 

 to his counterpart a splendid series of steeds, on 

 which his lad has won the principal steeplechases, 

 and led the clippingest runs of the season. How 

 their coats shine as the neat clothing glides smoothly 

 from their glossy quarters ! How they snort as they 

 leave their stalls! How proudly they elevate (I 

 disdain that puny monosyllable, cock) their trim-cut, 

 well-combed tails ; and how genially the good dealer 

 whispers to the young gentleman, with a kindly 

 nudge and wink, ^That's about all you'll let the field 

 see of him, if you buys him, and gets a start ! ' And 

 suppose at this juncture you also whisper in the other 

 ear, * Try them, and take your choice.' 



Or go with his pretty sister to some jeweller's 

 glittering store. Let him display to eyes far brighter 

 than his diamonds, and with a tender grace of 

 manipulation which tells how costly is his ware, 

 casket after casket of lustrous gems. Then invite 

 her to select her suite. Or take her to some gay 

 emporium, repository, lounge, bazaar, or mart — woe 

 to the man who shall cry ^shop ' therein, for fifty 



